Pak army chief warns India of 'unbearable cost' in case of war

'Let me reiterate that our armed forces stand fully capable to defeat all sorts of external aggression'

Calling Kashmir an “unfinished agenda”, Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif has warned India of “unbearable damage” in case of a “long or short” misadventure by the “enemy”.

Though he did not name India in a speech at the army headquarters on Sunday, the reference was obvious as his remarks came against a statement by Indian army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag who said last week that Indian army was prepared for “swift, short nature of future wars”.

“Let me reiterate that our armed forces stand fully capable to defeat all sorts of external aggression.

“If the enemy ever resorts to any misadventure, regardless of its size and scale -- short or long -- it will have to pay an unbearable cost,” he said in his address at a special event in Rawalpindi to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1965 war with India.

“Armed forces of Pakistan are fully capable of dealing with all types of internal and external threats, may it be conventional or sub-conventional; whether it is cold start or hot start. We are ready,” said General Raheel.

He also termed Kashmir as “unfinished agenda of partition” and said it should be resolved according to UN resolution which calls for plebiscite to decide its future.

He also warned that Kashmir cannot be placed on the backburner.

The remarks come against the backdrop of heightened tensions and cross-border firing between Indian and Pakistani troops along the Line of Control recently.

Raheel also promised to dismantle the entire networks of militants in the country.

“I reiterate the resolve that we shall not relent until all terrorists, their financiers, abettors, facilitators and sympathisers are brought to justice,” he said.

He also assured Afghanistan of support in creating peace and said that Pakistan made “concerted and sincere efforts for bringing peace in Afghanistan but certain inimical forces are bent upon undermining our efforts”. 

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