Military warns India: Any ‘imaginary new normal’ will face swift retributive response

• 272 CCC ‘takes serious notice’ of statements by Indian civil-military leadership, describing them as ‘irresponsible and unwarranted’
• Forum notes rhetoric reflected a pattern of ‘whipping up war hysteria for political benefits’
• Top commanders reiterate Pakistan would not allow any miscalculation to go unpunished
• COAS urges unwavering readiness against hybrid and asymmetric threats
• Commanders reviews counterterror operations, flood relief and regional diplomacy

RAWALPINDI: Military top brass on Wednesday warned India that any “imaginary new normal” its leadership may be entertaining regarding bilateral relations would be met with a “new normal of swift retributive response,” in what appeared to be a strong reaffirmation of the country’s deterrence posture against external aggression, according to the military’s media wing.

The warning came during the 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC), chaired by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ), according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 08 October, 2025

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (#COAS), #Pakistan Army, presided over the 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.

The Forum commenced with Fateha for the martyrs… pic.twitter.com/sRf5GOmVPk

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) October 8, 2025

The high-level forum, comprising top commanders of the Pakistan Army, convened amid heightened tensions following provocative remarks made last week by top Indian civil and military leadership.

The ISPR said the military top brass “took serious notice” of those statements, which it described as “irresponsible and unwarranted,” and reiterated that Pakistan would not allow any miscalculation to go unpunished.

“The forum pledged to counter any Indian aggression with a swift and decisive response, shattering any perceived notion of India’s relative safety accruing from geography. Any imaginary new normal will be met with a new normal of swift retributive response,” the ISPR statement said.

#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 08 October, 2025

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff (#COAS), #Pakistan Army, presided over the 272nd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.

The Forum commenced with Fateha for the martyrs… pic.twitter.com/nUzGrAOoob

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) October 8, 2025

Provocative Indian remarks

The conference came days after Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi warned Pakistan that it must stop “state-sponsored terrorism” if it wanted to “retain its place on the map,” further adding that the Indian military would “not show any restraint this time.”

The remarks drew a strong rebuttal from Pakistan’s military, which warned that any future conflict would have “cataclysmic devastation” and that Pakistan would “resolutely respond, without any qualms or restraint.”

In its earlier response, Pakistan had cautioned that “those seeking to establish a new normal must know that Pakistan has established a new normal of response — swift, decisive, and destructive.”

The ISPR said the CCC participants expressed grave concern over the Indian rhetoric, noting that it reflected a pattern of “whipping up war hysteria for political benefits.”

“Such rhetoric conforms to the well-known Indian propensity of whipping up war hysteria for political benefits. The participants agreed that unwarranted warmongering is likely to heighten tensions and will endanger regional peace and security,” the ISPR said.

Focus on counterterror operations

The meeting began with prayers for the martyrs of recent terrorist attacks, which the statement said were “orchestrated by Indian terror proxies.”

Field Marshal Munir lauded the resolve and determination of Pakistan’s armed forces in the ongoing fight against terrorism and in relief operations during recent floods, which were conducted “in conjunction with civil administration and other law enforcement agencies.”

The forum conducted a comprehensive review of internal and external security challenges, ongoing counterterrorism operations, and emerging threat paradigms. It reaffirmed the army’s preparedness to “thwart the inimical designs of Pakistan’s adversaries across all domains.”

Criminal-terror nexus

The ISPR statement also underscored the military’s resolve to end what it described as the “existing nexus between terror and crime with vested political patronage”, asserting that such forces “gravely hurt the interests of the state and the security of its people.”

“This nexus will not be allowed to continue anymore, come what may,” the statement read.

The commanders reaffirmed their commitment to comprehensive counterterrorism operations aimed at dismantling networks of “Indian-sponsored terror proxies,” identified as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.

The term “Fitna al-Khawarij” is used by the state for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Meanwhile, Fitna al-Hindustan — a term introduced earlier this year—refers to terrorist groups allegedly supported by India to destabilise Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.

In May, the government had formally designated all militant organisations operating in Balochistan under the “Fitna al-Hindustan” label, signalling Islamabad’s intent to internationally highlight India’s alleged role in fomenting terrorism inside Pakistan.

Diplomatic engagements and a defense pact with Saudi Arabia

The commanders also took note of Pakistan’s recent high-level diplomatic engagements, reaffirming their commitment to global and regional peace.

The forum welcomed the landmark mutual defense agreement signed between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing it as a testament to “shared values, mutual respect, and a joint vision for peace and security in the Middle Eastern and South Asian regions.”

Under the pact—signed in September at Riyadh’s Al-Yamamah Palace by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—both countries pledged that any aggression against one state would be considered an attack against the other.

Analysts view the agreement as a significant shift in Pakistan’s strategic outreach, reinforcing defense cooperation and bolstering its diplomatic positioning amid regional flux.

Support for Kashmir and Palestine

The ISPR further said the army leadership reiterated its unwavering support for the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The conference also reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled stance on the Palestinian issue, expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza and calling for an early ceasefire and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

“The forum reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on the Palestine issue, voicing support for the two-state solution with an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” the statement added.

Operational readiness

In his closing remarks, Field Marshal Munir directed all commanders to maintain the highest standards of operational readiness, discipline, physical fitness, innovation, and responsiveness.

He expressed full confidence in the Pakistan Army’s operational preparedness to counter threats “across the entire spectrum—from conventional and sub-conventional to hybrid and asymmetric domains.”

The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the army’s resolve to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and ensure that “no external aggression or internal subversion” undermines the country’s stability.