We are not preparing for war, it's India which is sending war threats: Pakistan Army

Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said India has levelled allegations against his country "without due investigation" after 40 CRPF personnel was a Jaish-e-Mohammed man in Pulwama on February 14. He also alleged that the terrorist belonged to Kashmir.  Major Ghafoor said Pakistan took some time to respond to India’s allegations as his army was investigating the matter. He New Delhi has not yet accepted the "reality of partition". 

"We are not preparing for war. It's you(India) who is sending war threats. We're not preparing for initiating a war but we have a right to respond to the war threats from your side," said Major Ghafoor.

Major Ghafoor said Pakistan does not draw any benefit from Pulwama terrorist attack. “Our PM has made India an unprecedented offer. Never before was such an offer made, he said in a press conference.

Major said there are two senior Pakistan Army officials under the military custody on the charges of espionage. The Army chief has ordered their court-martial. It is in the process. Both are individual cases, there is no link between the two cases.

"We have a 72-year history. The partition happened in 1947 and Pakistan was liberated. India still hasn't been able to accept that," the Army spokesman said.

He further said: "Should you (India) initiate any reaction first, you would never be able to surprise us...we will surprise you."       

He said when it comes to India, "Pakistan has singleness of conception. We have will and determination." Ghafoor warned that military response this time will be different in case of war.

"We are not the army of past, we are a battle-hardened army. We have fought against an unseen enemy and won," he said.

The army spokesman said that "we can respond to full spectrum threat" and warned "I hope you (India) get (the message) and do not mess with Pakistan".

To a question about nature of preparations, he said, "We are not preparing for war but we are preparing for response and whatever response is needed, we have prepared for it."

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday authorised the Army to take all measures to defend the country in case of any attack. He said the Pulwama attack was negative for Pakistan as it came when important events were taking place in Pakistan including visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

"Our reaction shows that the prime minister offered complete cooperation if evidence is shared and he promised to take action. He also offered to talk about the issue of terrorism," Ghafoor said.

He said Pakistan was changing and "we came to this point after heavy struggle. We are the only country and army which fought terrorism like we did".

He said Pakistan had defeated militants and now action started against extremist groups under the National Action Plan to eliminate militancy and terrorism. He said that media in Pakistan was behaving responsibly while "Indian media is doing war journalism".

The already sour relations between India and Pakistan have worsened as New Delhi blamed Islamabad for the Pulwama attack. Both countries have called back their envoys for "consultations."