Failed attempt at restoring lost reputation: Khawaja Asif reacts to India’s provocative statements

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday reacted to statements made by the Indian military and political leadership, terming them a “failed attempt” to restore their “lost reputation”.

While he did not specify any particular statement that he was reacting to, his remarks follow recent aggressive comments from the Indian side, mentioning terrorism and warning of action. India has long accused Pakistan of cross-border terrorism, an allegation that Islamabad has repeatedly refuted and termed baseless.

“The statements made by the Indian army and its political leadership are a failed attempt to restore its lost reputation,” Asif said on X.

He also referred to a four-day escalation between India and Pakistan in May, during which Islamabad says it downed at least six Indian jets.

Asif said India faced a “decisive defeat with a score of 6-0” in the escalation, and “if they try again [to go to fight], God willing, the score will be much better than the last time”.

“The way the public opinion in India turned against the government after the worst defeat in history, and the way [Indian Prime Minister Narendra] Modi and his group have lost their reputation, it is apparent from their statements that they [are feeling] the pressure,” Asif added.

“This time, God willing, India will get buried under the rubble of its own jets,” the minister asserted.

Indian media outlets reported on Friday that Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi had warned Pakistan that Indian forces would “not show any restraint this time”, potentially hinting at another military incursion. Staff Report