ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday rejected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remark that his country’s armed forces could defeat Pakistan in seven to 10 days in case of a war, describing it as “irresponsible warmongering.”
In an official statement, the country's foreign ministry said Modi’s comment was yet another “reflection of India’s incurable obsession with Pakistan and the BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] Government and leadership’s desperate attempt to divert attention from growing domestic and international criticism of their discriminatory, anti-Kashmir and anti-minority policies.”
It added that the Indian prime minister’s threats and provocative statements also illustrated the extremist mindset that “pervades the BJP leadership and has evidently permeated the state institutions in India.”
The foreign office said no one should underestimate the resolve of the people and the armed forces of Pakistan to effectively thwart any aggressive action.
“Pakistan’s immediate and effective response to India’s Balakot misadventure, including the downing of Indian fighter aircraft and capture of Indian pilot last year, should suffice to underscore the will, capacity, and preparedness of our armed forces,” the statement added.
Pakistan also urge the international community to take cognizance of Indian leadership’s continuing “belligerent rhetoric and aggressive measures, which pose a threat to regional peace and security.”
“We hope steps would be taken to facilitate peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute for durable peace and stability in South Asia,” said the statement.
On Feb. 26, 2019, India launched airstrikes on an alleged extremist training camp in Pakistan. The following day, Pakistani air force retaliated against targets inside India-administered Kashmir, triggering an aerial dogfight in the region in which Pakistan shot down an Indian fighter jet.
Pakistan also captured the pilot, though the country’s administration later handed him over to his country as a gesture of peace.