Pakistan's armed forces ready to respond to any security challenge: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Director-General of Inter-Services Public Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar on Thursday said that Pakistan armed forces are fully aware of the enemy’s covert operations and will respond whenever there is a challenge to the country’s security and integrity, ARY News reported.

Addressing an important press conference today at the General Headquarters (GHQ), the new military spokesperson said there is no space for war between two countries.

“India is playing dangerous games to divert attention from internal issues,” said DG ISPR, adding that Pakistan Army is ready for any misadventure.

DG ISPR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar further said that India blamed Pakistan for the Pulwama incident and rejected the cooperation offered by Pakistan. He said that India carried out a coward attack on Feb 26. “We were prepared for the attack and gave them a surprise which they wanted to gove us.”

Three glorious years of Operation Raddul Fasaad

Speaking on Raddul Fasaad, he said that Pak Army launched the operation on February 22, 2017, across the country aiming at indiscriminately eliminating residual/latent threat of terrorism.

Operation Raddul Fasaad helped in indiscriminately eliminating the residual threat of terrorism, ensuring the security of Pakistan’s borders. The nation supported its armed forces in this journey,” said DG ISPR. He also paid tribute to the martyrs, the real heroes and the pride of the nation.

He said that during the three years of operation Pak Army claimed 40,000 area of land (muraba) back from terrorists. DG ISPR said that this journey from terrorism to tourism was a difficult one.

LOC violations

Speaking on violations carried out by India across the Line of Control, he said that during the last three years India committed 348 ceasefire violation and most of them were recorded in 2019.

“Do not test our integrity. If there is a challenge to Pakistan’s security, we will respond,” warned Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar.

Kashmir an international issue

Talking about the grave human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, Major General Babar Iftikhar said Indian forces have been carrying out tyrannies against armless people of Kashmir for 73 years. He said India’s illegal and immoral steps of 5 August 2019 in occupied Kashmir have added miseries of the Kashmiri people.

Kashmir issue has been internationalized, and India’s state terrorism in the held territory is being highlighted by the international media despite restrictions. The UN Secretary-General has also expressed concern over human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and emphasized on the resolution of the dispute according to the UN resolutions.

Afghan peace process

Answering a question about the upcoming peace deal with the United States and the Afghan Taliban, Major General Babar Iftikhar hoped the agreement will have a positive impact on the region as Pakistanstrongly supported the Afghan-led peace process.

He said US President Donald Trump acknowledged Pakistan’s role in his recent visit to India saying that Pakistan is very closely working with the United States for regional peace.

Coronavirus Threat

Commenting over the coronavirus cases in Pakistan, the DG ISPR said that govt is taking effective measures to cope with the deadly virus. He said that Pakistan armed forces are ready to help out govt when they [govt] ask for the help

Major General Babar Iftikhar earlier in a Tweet on Thursday said that Pakistan’s response to India on February 27, 2019 is a proof that any misadventure by our enemies will always be defeated.

The DG ISPR tweeted, “27 Feb commemorates resolve of Pakistan Armed Forces against any aggression. The way we responded on this day is proof that any misadventure by enemies of Pakistan will always be defeated. Our adversaries will be surprised with our bold responses every time.”

Operation Swift Retort

February 27, 2019, is a memorable day for Pakistan as Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shattered Indian dream of invincibility and military supremacy by shooting down two Indian aircraft and above all capturing an IAF pilot.

Indian fighter jets crossed the Line of Control in the last week of February and the country’s military claimed to have conducted a “surgical strike” in Balakot area in Pakistan.

New Delhi also claimed to destroy a terrorist camp with 300-350 casualties in the attack. Pakistan denied the claim, saying neither was there any camp nor any casualty.

Independent reports, including high-resolution satellite images reviewed by Reuters, also contradicted the Indian claims.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets on the other day crossed the LoC in a tit-for-tat move to Indian territory, and in a dogfight, an Indian MiG-21 was shot down on the Pakistani side of the border.