Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that India is using Afghan territory to run proxy activities against Pakistan, alleging that militant groups are being backed from across the border.
During a recent interview with a private media outlet, Asif said that Pakistan’s armed forces had “shattered India’s arrogance,” adding that the morale of a military “five times larger” had been affected in recent confrontations. He said that: “India was still recovering from the impact and would not dare to initiate further escalation in the current situation”.
He said that Pakistan seeks peace in the region but maintained, “India is continuing proxy warfare through Afghanistan”.
The defence minister reiterated that Afghan soil is being used as a platform for Indian interests, stating that terrorist networks are operating with external backing. He added that elements from across the border have been involved in engagements with Pakistani security forces along the frontier.
Asif said that Pakistan’s population is able to live in relative peace due to the presence of soldiers stationed in border areas. “Our soldiers remain vigilant on the frontlines, guarding borders and enduring harsh conditions,” he said.
He noted that unity and support for state institutions remain necessary, adding that internal differences should be set aside in favour of national interest. He maintained that the armed forces continue to prioritise the country’s security.
Referring to past tensions, Asif said that decisions taken during previous confrontations were based on defence requirements. He added that “national interest remains the primary consideration and cannot be influenced by outside factors”.
