Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the risk of another war with India remains real stressing that proxy conflicts continue decades after they began.
Speaking on a private television channel Asif said the proxy war which started in the 1980s has never truly ended and has intensified in recent years. He cited recent explosions in Lahore and Rawalpindi as evidence of these ongoing tensions.
He added that the immediate threat of war surged following the May conflict noting that the risk has not disappeared. Highlighting Pakistan’s defensive successes Asif said that the United States recognized Pakistan’s victory and intervened to prevent further escalation.
During the four-day war in May the Pakistan Air Force downed seven Indian aircraft including Rafales and destroyed an S-400 defence system. Pakistan then launched retaliatory strikes on more than 20 Indian military sites after India’s missile strikes resulted in civilian and security personnel casualties.
Months later a U.S Congress report acknowledged Pakistan’s military edge over India noting the deployment of advanced Chinese weaponry. The report highlighted the first active combat use of China’s HQ-9 air defence system PL-15 air to air missiles and J-10C fighter jets which strengthened Pakistan’s defensive capabilities.
Despite these achievements Asif warned that the threat from India remains a serious concern for Pakistan’s security establishment underlining that vigilance and preparedness are essential for national security.
