Khawaja Asif warns India against another 'false-flag drama', vows decisive response

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday warned that India was planning a “false-flag operation” to malign Pakistan, cautioning New Delhi of a strong and decisive response to any such move.

Speaking to media in Sialkot, Asif alleged that India could stage an incident using “its own men or Pakistanis in their detention,” placing bodies to fabricate a narrative of terrorism. He described such a move as a calculated attempt to create justification for escalation.

“The kind of humiliation they faced last year still haunts them,” he said, adding that despite India’s larger size in terms of population, resources, and military strength, it continues to face criticism both globally and domestically.

Recalling last year’s confrontation, the minister pointed to the performance of the Pakistan Air Force, asserting that India would continue to face backlash over its actions. He warned that any attempt to repeat such a “drama” would be met with a forceful response, stating that Pakistan would “take them to Kolkata,” referring to the eastern Indian city.

Asif’s remarks come amid heightened tensions and recent warnings from Pakistani security sources that India may be preparing a staged operation involving Pakistani nationals who inadvertently crossed the border.

In a parallel development, Asif also expressed optimism about Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role, particularly in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran. He said Islamabad was playing an “important role” in ongoing efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table, emphasising Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability.

The latest warning also follows an exchange of sharp statements between Islamabad and New Delhi. Earlier, Asif had cautioned his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh that any notion of war between two nuclear-armed states was both dangerous and unrealistic.

His remarks were seen as a response to Singh’s recent statement warning Pakistan against any “misadventure” amid the backdrop of the Middle East conflict.

In a strongly worded post on X, Asif said India’s repeated rhetoric reflected “strategic anxiety,” particularly as the anniversary of the Pahalgam attack approaches—an incident Islamabad maintains was used to level baseless allegations against Pakistan.

The April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last year triggered a brief but intense military escalation between the two countries. While New Delhi blamed Pakistan without presenting conclusive evidence, Islamabad denied involvement and called for an independent investigation.

The Pakistan Army later termed the ensuing conflict, spanning from April 22 to May 10, as Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, also referred to as Marka-i-Haq (battle of truth), underscoring what it described as a decisive response to Indian actions.

“History is a stark reminder that miscalculation carries consequences,” Asif said, warning that any future confrontation would invite an even stronger and more calibrated response.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance, he said the country remains committed to peace and regional stability but is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty.

“Let there be no ambiguity,” he said. “Pakistan’s resolve is absolute, its preparedness complete, and its response will be swift, calibrated, and decisive.”