Pakistan dismisses Indian defence minister’s Azad Kashmir threats as attempt to hide domestic turmoil

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has forcefully rejected comments by his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, who declared that New Delhi would only hold talks on Azad Kashmir, claimed the Pakistani-administered region as an “integral part of India”, and warned that any attempt to undermine Indian sovereignty would invite a “decisive response” from its armed forces. Singh had also accused Islamabad of continuing to sponsor “terrorism” against India.

Asif hit back directly, stating that Singh’s aggressive rhetoric was a clear attempt to “deflect the attention from internal turmoil and increasing unrest” following mass protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

He warned New Delhi against distortion and military posturing, emphasising that while Pakistan remains committed to peace, its resolve to defend its sovereignty is absolute and must never be tested.

The Pakistani Foreign Office echoed these concerns, calling on the United Nations to hold India accountable to Security Council resolutions guaranteeing the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.