Islamabad: At a time when the world's eyes are on India's next action in retaliation to the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Monday made a big statement. The Pakistani Defence minister said, speaking to news agency Reuters,"We have reinforced our forces because it is something which is imminent now. So in that situation, some strategic decisions have to be taken, so those decisions have been taken."
Asif said Pakistan's military had briefed the government on the possibility of an attack by India. He did not gave any further details on his reasons for thinking an incursion was imminent.
Asif said Pakistan was on high alert and that it would only use its arsenal of nuclear weapons if "there is a direct threat to our existence".
Days ago, Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif admitted that Pakistan had supported terror activities for decades. During an interview with UK-based Sky News, Asif said that Pakistan does not have an unimpeachable track record as it had supported terror groups for the West, including the United States and Britain.
When asked by anchor Yalda Hakim about Pakistan's long history of backing, supporting training and funding these terrorist organisations, Asif said, "Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, you know, and west, including Britain. That was a mistake, and we suffered for that."
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence to brief him on security preparedness following the Pahalgam terror attack. This comes a day after Singh met the Chief of General Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan.
