Army Chief reaffirms firm stance amid Afghan border tensions and Indian provocations
Pakistan Will Not Tolerate Breach of Sovereignty, Says Army Chief
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir has reaffirmed that any violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity—whether direct or indirect—will be met with a firm and decisive response. His statement came during an interaction with participants of the 17th National Workshop Balochistan at General Headquarters.
The declaration follows rising tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where skirmishes have broken out amid growing concerns over cross-border terrorism. Relations with India have also worsened, following charged rhetoric from Indian civil and military leadership and a recent military operation that targeted Pakistani territory.
In a press release, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that COAS Munir underlined Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability. However, he made it clear that safeguarding national sovereignty remains a non-negotiable priority.
India and Afghan-Based Proxies Under Fire as Pakistan Vows Retaliation
During his address, COAS Munir specifically targeted Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies, including Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij. These groups, he said, are pushing anti-people and anti-development agendas in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan.
Fitna al-Khawarij refers to terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna al-Hindustan is a term recently introduced by the government to describe Indian-backed militants destabilising the region. Munir confirmed that decisive actions are being taken to eliminate these threats and restore peace in the province.
He also highlighted Balochistan’s vast potential and praised the people as resilient and patriotic. He stressed that development initiatives by both federal and provincial governments are aimed at uplifting the province’s socio-economic landscape.
The army chief called on civil society and youth to play a constructive role in countering divisive agendas and ensuring long-term stability. He emphasized that empowering youth and promoting unity are vital for sustainable development in the region.
Regional Escalation and the Role of Dialogue
Tensions escalated further earlier this year after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, claiming to target alleged militant sites in Pakistan following an attack in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir. The strike caused civilian casualties in Pakistan and was followed by Pakistan’s retaliatory Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, triggering intense cross-border exchanges.
COAS Munir responded to India’s aggression by warning that there is no space for war in a nuclearised environment. He stated that Pakistan’s clear victory in May’s confrontation was a testament to its military preparedness.
He also urged the Afghan Taliban regime to control militant proxies operating from Afghan territory, warning that every foreign-backed proxy would be eliminated without hesitation. He further stressed that true peace in the region depends on mutual cooperation, not perpetual violence.
