Ready to respond to any ‘misadventure’ by India, warns Pakistan as tensions spike on border

Amid the sudden spike in tensions on the border following a failed infiltration bid by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan on Sunday warned India that it was ready to respond to any “misadventure or aggression” by the Indian forces.

The warning from Pakistan came after Prime Minister Imran Khan called the National Security Committee (NSC) to discuss the situation at border following Indian Army’s alleged use of cluster bombs to target the civilian population in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The Indian Army on Saturday termed as “lies and deceit” Pakistan’s allegations that Indian troops used cluster bombs targeting civilians along the Line of Control. The Army, however, said that it killed several Pakistani intruders trying to sneak into the Indian side of the Line of Control.

The NSC meeting was attended by Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Brig (Retd) Ijaz Shah, three services chiefs, chief of ISI and other senior officials.

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A statement issued by the PM Office after the meeting said that Pakistan is “ready to defend itself against any Indian misadventure or aggression” and will continue to provide all out “diplomatic, moral and political support” to the people of Kashmir.

“Pakistan reiterates that Kashmir is a long standing unresolved international dispute which needs peaceful resolution. Pakistan therefore urges India to come forth to resolve the issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” it said, adding that the recent build-up of forces in Kashmir was adding “fuel to fire”.

“The recent Indian measures will increase the levels of violence and turn this area into a flashpoint and a destabilising factor in the midst of two strategically capable neighbouring countries,” it said.