Khawaja Asif Warns of Full-Scale War if India Escalates Tensions

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stern warning that any aggressive move by India would prompt a proportionate response from Pakistan, cautioning that a confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours could spiral into a full-scale war.

In an interview with British broadcaster Sky News, Asif dismissed Indian claims that Pakistan was linked to the recent deadly attack in Pahalgam, labelling it a “false flag operation.”

“Just as the attack, so will be the response,” he said, affirming that the Pakistan Army is fully prepared to counter any development amid rising diplomatic friction.

The attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists, has triggered sharp rhetoric from New Delhi. Asif rejected the accusations as unfounded and politically driven, stating that such claims are aimed at stirring domestic sentiment ahead of upcoming Indian elections.

He warned that any adventurism would be met with a deliberate and forceful reaction. “If there is a full-scale attack, there will be a full-scale war,” Asif cautioned, underlining the risk of a broader conflict.

Despite the grave tone, the minister voiced hope that diplomacy would take precedence and that both nations could find a way to ease tensions through dialogue. He called on the international community to pay close attention to the escalating risks in the region and play a role in preventing further deterioration.