‘Either we survive or…’: Khawaja Asif's 'end of world' threat amid India-Pak tensions

Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif.

As tensions escalate between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif in his latest threat warned that if India dared to attack Pakistan, no one would survive.

“If India dares to attack Pakistan and Pakistan’s existence comes under threat, nobody will survive in this world," the minister said in yet another incendiary remark towards India amid the tense situation.

Asif also likened the situation to the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, saying that the same mentality is being applied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies. “If this were to happen to us… if our existence is in danger, then either we survive, or no one does," he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan army chief General Syed Asim Munir on Monday reiterated his intention to respond with full force to protect the “national prestige and prosperity of his people”.

India announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operational land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties following the terror attack.

Earlier, the defence minister warned that New Delhi could launch a military strike at any moment along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. “There are reports that India may strike at any point along the LoC… New Delhi will be given a befitting reply," he told reporters in Islamabad.

He further said that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asked for an international probe into the Pahalgam terror attack. “Such a probe would expose whether India itself or any internal group was involved, and clarify the truth behind New Delhi’s baseless allegations," he added.