"If India backs down, we will wrap up these things": Pakistan’s Defence Minister hours after Operation Sindoor

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said his country would “wrap up” military tensions if India halts further strikes, a statement that came hours after India launched precision missile attacks on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes, code-named Operation Sindoor, were conducted in response to the April 22 terror attack near Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists.

The Indian operation targeted facilities linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, which were reportedly used for training, indoctrination, recruitment, and arms storage. Indian forces used a tri-service coordination involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force to carry out the strikes, which lasted for 25 minutes. The Ministry of Defence said the action was “measured, proportionate, and responsible,” and was aimed only at terror infrastructure, with no Pakistani military facilities targeted.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said intelligence inputs revealed that further attacks against India were impending, which necessitated pre-emptive and precautionary action. He stated that investigations into the Pahalgam attack confirmed links to terrorist elements based in Pakistan. “Investigations into the Pahalgam terror attack have brought out the communication nodes of terrorists in and to Pakistan,” he said. Misri added that identification of the attackers was underway and that Indian intelligence had developed a clear picture of their planners and backers.

Pakistan condemned the Indian strikes as an “unprovoked and blatant act of war” and said it would respond “at a time and place of its own choosing.” However, Khawaja Asif later said, “We have been saying all along, for the last fortnight, that we will never initiate anything hostile against India. But if we are attacked, we will respond. If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up these things.” He added that Pakistan is prepared for both defence and restraint, stating that “we have just responded” and “do not seek war.”

Following the strikes, ten civilians reportedly died in Pakistan’s ceasefire violations along the border areas of Jammu and Kashmir. In India, Home Minister Amit Shah directed all paramilitary forces to recall personnel on leave. Meanwhile, Russia, China, and the United States expressed concern over the escalation, with calls for restraint and stability. The Indian government also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelled Pakistani visas, and closed its airspace and ports to Pakistani aircraft and ships prior to the military response.