Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir on Thursday issued a stern warning to India, declaring that any military misadventure by New Delhi would be met with a “swift, resolute, and notch-up response.” His comments come at a time of escalating tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 dead.
The statement was made during General Munir’s visit to the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR), where he observed Exercise Hammer Strike — a high-intensity field training exercise conducted by Pakistan Army’s Mangla Strike Corps.
“Preparedness to safeguard national interests is absolute”
“Let there be no ambiguity: any military misadventure by India will be met with a swift, resolute, and notch-up response,” General Munir was quoted as saying by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). He added, “While Pakistan remains committed to regional peace, our preparedness and resolve to safeguard national interests is absolute.”
Addressing troops on the ground, the army chief emphasised operational readiness and battlefield coordination as key to national defence.
What is Exercise Hammer Strike?
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Exercise Hammer Strike aimed to validate the army’s combat readiness, synergy between units, and the integration of advanced weaponry in near-battlefield conditions. The exercise involved multirole fighter jets, long-range artillery, attack helicopters, and new field engineering capabilities to simulate full-scale conventional warfare.
US urges restraint as tensions escalate between India and Pakistan
On Wednesday, Pakistani authorities said the next 36 hours would be “critical” amid fears of retaliatory strikes by India. In response to the deteriorating situation, the US Secretary of State reportedly held separate calls with top Indian and Pakistani leaders, urging both sides to exercise restraint and resolve the matter through dialogue.
(With agency inputs)