Tensions between India and Pakistan have once again escalated after a strong warning from Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who said that any future action by India would be met with a deeper and more aggressive response.
On Saturday, 4th April, speaking to reporters in his hometown, Sialkot, Asif said, "If they try again, they will face even greater humiliation than last year. This time, the conflict will not remain limited to 200-250 km; we will enter their territory and strike inside."
He further added that if India carries out any "false-flag operation," Pakistan would respond by taking the conflict to Kolkata.
He also claimed that India might be planning such an operation by using its own people or even Pakistani detainees and then putting the blame on Islamabad. However, he did not provide any proof for this claim. His statement comes shortly after India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned that any future move from Pakistan would be met with strong and decisive action.
The current strain in relations can be traced back to the Pahalgam attack on 22nd April last year, where 26 civilians, mostly tourists, lost their lives in an attack carried out by terrorists backed from across the border. This led to a short but intense military confrontation between 7th May and 10th May. The situation cooled down after Pakistan requested a ceasefire, which India accepted, while making it clear that its military action, known as Operation Sindoor, was only paused and not fully stopped.
India has also maintained that it will not separate terrorist groups from Pakistan's military leadership when it comes to accountability. Earlier, in August 2025, Pakistan's military had issued a similar warning, saying it could strike deep inside India from the eastern side.
Adding to the tension, former Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit recently said that if Pakistan's nuclear weapons were threatened by the United States, India would become the "next best option." He openly mentioned cities like Mumbai and New Delhi as possible targets, saying Pakistan would not hesitate to strike them if needed.