Pakistan’s new army chief General Syed Asim Munir visited the Rakhchikri Sector in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Saturday to assure the people that the military would defend “every inch of our motherland” if attacked by India.
In recent weeks, the Indian leadership has made highly irresponsible statements about Gilgit Baltistan and Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s armed forces are always ready to defend every inch of our motherland, as well as to take the fight back to the enemy, if ever a war is imposed upon us.
During his interaction with officers and soldiers, General Munir praised them for their high morale, expertise, and combat readiness under challenging conditions.
In response to recent remarks by Indian officials regarding Gilgit-Baltistan and Jammu and Kashmir, he said, “Any misconception that results in a misadventure will always be met with the full might of our armed forces.”
In the coup-prone nation where the military holds significant influence over national security and foreign policy, General Munir succeeded General Qamar Javed Bajwa as Army chief on November 24.
Relations between New Delhi and Islamabad have been strained by the Kashmir issue and cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
A special status for Jammu and Kashmir was revoked by India on August 5, 2019, and it was divided into two union territories.
As a result of India’s decision, Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties and expelled the Indian ambassador. Since then, Pakistani-Indian trade relations have remained largely stagnant.
Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India, New Delhi informed Pakistan.
