Strategies are in place, prepared for a two-front war if India plays dirty games: Pak Minister Khawaja Asif

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that India could “play dirty games” along the border, and asserted that Pakistan is prepared for a potential two-front war amid escalating regional tensions.

When asked about the possibility of India carrying out hostile actions along the border, Khawaja Asif told Samaa TV, “Absolutely, you cannot rule that out. There are strong possibilities.”

He added, “Pakistan is prepared for a two-front war,” confirming that Islamabad has already devised strategies to respond to any eventuality.

When questioned whether he had discussed a coordinated response with the Prime Minister, Asif said, “Yes, strategies are in place. I can't discuss them publicly, but we are prepared for any eventuality.”

In addition to raising concerns about India, Asif targeted Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan, claiming they had “given nothing to Pakistan except terrorism.” He said the government had launched a crackdown on Afghans living illegally in the country, adding that “the majority of Afghans should go back.”

His remark came in the wake of Pakistan and Afghanistan agreeing to a temporary ceasefire following the clashes on the border. Both countries claimed that it was requested by the other side.

Sharif said that several top officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and others, repeatedly visited Kabul to convey Pakistan's desire for peace and development in the region.

“Unfortunately, despite all efforts, (the Taliban regime in) Afghanistan did not prioritise peace and adopted the path of aggression,” he said, adding that Pakistan had to launch a full-scale retaliatory action as patience had run out after the recent events.

He further alleged that Afghanistan attacked Pakistan "at India's behest", as Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was in Delhi when attacks were launched.

Sharif said the Qatari emir had condemned the entire episode in talks with him in Egypt and expressed his desire to play a role in cooling down tensions.

The escalation by Pakistan comes amid the backdrop of Afghanistan's acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday on a week-long visit to India.

Muttaqi October 9-16 visit, marks the first high-level delegation from Kabul to New Delhi since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.

This is the second Taliban government in Afghanistan since 1996.