Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif has warned India of “dire consequences” if India hits their nuclear installations in a surgical strike. He said nobody should expect restraint from Pakistan either.
This was Asif’s response to Indian Air Force Chief BS Dhanoa’s statement yesterday that if need be, Indian aircraft could “locate, fix and destroy” Pakistan’s nuclear installations.
“Yesterday, the Indian air chief said we will hit, through another surgical strike, Pakistan’s nuclear installations. If that happens, nobody should expect restraint from us. That’s the most diplomatic language I can use,” said Asif.
Asif delivered his ‘diplomatic’ response during a talk at the US Institute of Peace in Washington earlier today, warning Indian leaders of “dire consequences” that such actions could lead to.
WHAT DHANOA SAID
Air Chief Dhanoa said yesterday that the Indian Air Force has the capability to “locate, fix and destroy” tactical nukes (TNW) developed by Pakistan – should the need arise.
He was talking about Hatf-9 (Nasr) Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM) which are equipped with a tactical nuclear warhead (TNW) to be used in the battlefield only.
On several occasions, Pakistan has said the TNW have been developed as to counter India rapidly mobilising troops and armour, and overwhelming Pakistan’s defence and forces.
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