ISLAMABAD: Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has made it clear that Pakistan is committed to peace but will respond with even greater force if pushed into conflict.
Addressing over 2,500 students from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa universities during a spirited session, the DG ISPR declared:
“We are a peace-loving nation and always choose dialogue first. But if you make the mistake of aggression again, our response will be even more intense.”
The event, described by ISPR as lively and nationalistic, was punctuated by chants of “Long live the Pakistan Army” and “Kashmir will become Pakistan.” Students, waving national flags, expressed unwavering support for the military.
Clear Warning to India
General Chaudhry cited past incidents, including Pakistan’s swift response to Indian air raids that targeted 26 locations. He recounted the tragic death of a young boy in Muzaffarabad and said the Indian brigade headquarters responsible for the attack was “destroyed.”
“Our aircraft only targeted military infrastructure,” he emphasized. “We did not attack civilian areas, houses of worship, or public spaces because we believe in peace.”
Accusations Against India
The army spokesperson didn’t mince words about India’s alleged role in destabilizing Pakistan:
“Behind every terrorist act in Pakistan, whether in Balochistan or elsewhere, is India’s hand.”
He also issued a stern warning to Afghan authorities, urging them not to become proxies for India and to prevent militants from using Afghan soil to attack Pakistan.
“Do not act as agents of India,” he cautioned, pointing to elements within Afghan leadership allegedly supported by New Delhi.
Condemnation of Extremist Groups
Chaudhry singled out hardline groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), condemning them for twisting religious teachings and seeking India’s support.
“You seek help from those who violate the dignity of Kashmiri women,” he said.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, he told the students:
“The time has come again—Kashmir will become Pakistan.”
Background: A Crisis and Its Fallout
Tensions surged after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 dead. India blamed Pakistan outright, but Islamabad firmly rejected the allegations. In response, India took aggressive measures on April 23, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelling Pakistani visas, shutting down the Wagah-Attari border crossing, and slashing diplomatic ties.
The situation reached a critical point in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), killing dozens of civilians, including women and children.
Pakistan’s Swift Military Response
Pakistan retaliated by shooting down multiple Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The situation escalated further on May 10, when India launched missile strikes on Pakistani airbases.
Pakistan then initiated Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, targeting Indian military installations, missile storage sites, and strategic assets.
A ceasefire was ultimately reached after intense diplomatic negotiations, announced first by US President Donald Trump and confirmed by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.
