Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has voiced fears that the chances of conflict with India are increasing, despite attempts by many nations to ease tensions between the two countries.
Addressing the media outside Parliament, Asif was questioned regarding the present security situation. He reacted by saying, "The probability of conflict is growing with time; it is not diminishing. In spite of the efforts of numerous countries to avoid this, the situation exists."
He also asserted that Pakistan would be ready to retaliate appropriately if attacked. "If India intrudes into our borders, we will retaliate and the response will be based on what India does. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind about how we will retaliate," he said.
Asif expressed hope that this would be avoided, offering up prayers that "India sees sense." He had this to say, "I do not want to speculate what Pakistan will say, but assuredly, it will be something more important than anything India has done."
This is in the wake of a fatal attack that left 26 dead, with most of them being tourists. This is regarded as one of the most notable terrorist attacks since the repeal of Article 370, which abolished the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
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