Khawaja Muhammad Asif issued a nuclear threat in a response to a statement of Army Chief Bipin Rawat. Army Chief General in a press conference said that Pakistan’s nuclear bluff will be exposed if it comes to war and called out “Pakistan’s nuclear bogey”. He said that situation should not escalate to war because then Pakistan will be exposed in front of international community. While replying to the statement, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif took to the social media platform Twitter and said that it was a very irresponsible statement by the Indian Army Chief. He further said that it amounted to an invitation for nuclear war and that the statement was not befitting the office. He said that if the General tests Pakistan’s resolve then his doubt will be quickly solved.
Army Chief, during a press conference in Delhi, said that India is fully prepared to call Pakistan’s nuclear bluff and that the army is ready to carry out any cross-border operation anytime. This was his response when he was asked a question about the possibility of Pakistan using its nuclear missiles in case of a tussle at the border.
In response to Army Chief’s statement, Pakistan Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Dr. Mohhamad Faisal went on a spree on twitter. He expressed his concerns over Indian Army Chief’s remarks. From his personal handle, he twitted that a sinister mindset has taken hold of India and Pakistan has always shown deterrence capability.
The official spokesperson for Pakistan’s armed forces, Maj Gen Asif Ghaffor said that Pakistan has credible nuclear deterrence against India.
“Pakistan has credible nuclear deterrence against any threat from India. We are a professional army, responsible nuclear state and resilient nation and India should not remain in illusion,” he said. While addressing the press in the run-up to Army Day, Gen Rawat had called out “Pakistan’s nuclear bogey,” saying it will be thoroughly exposed if the situation escalates into a war.
Pakistan has a short-range Hatf-IX nuclear missile in its arsenal which it often shows to India to counter India’s “Cold Start” strategy which focuses on limited strikes to make swift and sudden blow into enemy territory. Pakistan Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director Major General Asif Ghafoor while reacting to the situation said that the statements given by Gen Rawat did not suit his stature.
According to Geo TV, Ghafoor said that COAS is a very responsible appointment and it comes with great experience and maturity. He further said that his country is capable to fend off any unwanted aggression and that the nuclear weapons are not a tool of choice but of deterrence.
The increasing nuclear weapons in Pakistani arsenal is a serious issue for America as well, with its own territory slipping from its hand. This is being bad news for India as well as for Washington. As a matter of fact, Islamabad’s growing arsenal has set alarm bells ringing all over the world.
