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Pakistan's nuclear capability a 'weapon of deterrence': DG ISPR responds to Indian army chief
Responding to a remark by the Indian army chief that his country's armed forces are ready to call Pakistan’s “nuclear bluff”, the chief of Pakistan Army's media wing has said that India should not harbour any illusion about Pakistan's defence capabilities, while the Foreign Office (FO) warned India against any misadventure.
Indian Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat had said on Friday that the Indian army would not hesitate to cross the Pakistani border to carry out an operation if ordered by the government, Hindustan Times reported.
“We will call the (nuclear) bluff of Pakistan. If we will have to really confront the Pakistanis, and a task is given to us, we are not going to say we cannot cross the border because they have nuclear weapons. We will have to call their nuclear bluff,” Gen Rawat was quoted as saying.
Examine: South Asian experts rule out Pakistan-India nuclear war
Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, while talking to state-run PTV World termed the Indian army chief's statement "irresponsible" and "unbecoming" of a four-star general who is serving as the chief of army staff.
Asked what Pakistan's response would be if India resorted to any such misadventure, Maj Gen Ghafoor said: "Should they [India] wish to test our resolve they may try and see it for themselves. We have a credible nuclear capability exclusive[ly] meant for threat[s] from [the] East."
The ISPR chief said Pakistan considers its nuclear capability to be a "weapon of deterrence" and not an option for war, according to a statement issued by the military's media wing.
He said India was unsuccessfully targeting Pakistan through sub-conventional threats and "state-sponsored terrorism" because it could not subdue Pakistan through conventional engagement following overt nuclearisation in the region.
"[The] only thing stopping them is our credible nuclear deterrence as there is no space of war between the two nuclear states," he said.
The ISPR chief said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state with a professional army, therefore India "must not remain in illusion".
'There must not be any misadventure'
The Foreign Office too responded to the Indian army chief's statement in strong terms, saying Gen Rawat's "threatening" remark is "representative of a sinister mindset that has taken hold of India".
"These are not issues to be taken lightly. There must not be any misadventure based on [a] miscalculation," FO spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a statement.
"Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself," he said.
Comments (36) Closed
Very rightly said, BRAVO ISPR. Pakistan Zindaabaad.
Indians are the real cause of problem and instability in South Asia.
Mature response.!.
Respect and admire GEN Ghafoor for his well structured responses. Our civilian current politicians can learn a lot from our defense officials how to act to include leadership skills.
Indianarmy general seems to be bollywood film fanatic and inspired by Sunny Deol too much.
Well said
Election and war mongering cannot be mixed. But let it be, respect has to be taught. It's been sometime that Indians are not taught the lesson.
Fitting reply, politicians should learn from him.
A very balanced and befitting yet calculated and responsible response by the ISPR.
Will they remain silent if we use tactical nuclear weapons on them? After all, which nation on Earth talks about using tactical nukes that can kill it's own people and poison it's own land? We need to take responsibility for our stupid actions instead of threatening collective suicide of our poor civilians.
Both countries should respect each other and live peacefully side by side ! War is only darkness while peace is light .
Nicr
@Ali Look who is talking? Look at the world and see what they are saying and what they are asking Pakistan to do? .
A bit stronger response would have been appreciated.
Just amazing. Instead of working to resolve issues, one side thinks it can better the other. No side will win a full Nuclear Confrontation. The region has enough problems.
If both the nations would have spent the same effort that they did to acquire nuclear weapons to achieve peace and harmony, the citizens for both nations would have been more prosperous.
Tit-for-tat verbal bravado (from both sides and appealing to their galleries) is so much better than actual fighting. Now to fix the problems that ail both societies - poverty and poor social development indices.
Talk is cheap and it applies to both sides.
anyone can observe and understand who is on panic.
@Imran keep dreaming.
Nothing will happen...its just pressure tactics and mind games.
Please have some world class colleges and hospitals in both countries which can make the life easier for the common people. Cross the border for exchanging love and humanity.
Respect and mutual understanding are the powerful weapons than any other weapons.
@Imran : Remember 1971?
Unfortunate that two neighboring countries are showing nuclear weapons to each other as if is beneficial in the interest of people of both the countries.
Nuclear threatening is seen as bad in rest of the world.
i expect this from ISPR.thank you for perfect respons.
@Ali please elaborate.
United we stand with our Armies & there should be NO DOUBT about it.
Weldon ISPR . Listen Indians. Battlefield is not a Tamil movie set.
Weldon ISPR. Listen Indians. Battlefield is not a Tamil movie set.
Salute to our scientists and engineers who gave us the deterrence. Invest in education and technology.
@riz1 Very well said.......
How petty! Pakistani need to keep reminding of their deterrence every now and then. That its says a lot about Pakistan position.
@ram Fear the moment when we walk the talk
Thats a response from a Professional State