Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that India is waging a “low-intensity war” against Pakistan from Afghan soil and attempting to avenge its defeat in the four-day border clash that took place in May.
He made these remarks during an interview with Al Arabiya English, aired on Wednesday night. His statements come amid renewed criticism of Kabul’s administration following recent terrorist attacks, border skirmishes, and the breakdown of talks with Taliban officials.
When asked what evidence he had to support his claim that India was manipulating Taliban representatives during meetings in Doha and Turkey, Khawaja Asif replied that Pakistan possesses the evidence and will present it when the time comes.
He pointed out that while border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan were ongoing, the Afghan foreign minister was on an official visit to New Delhi. Asif claimed that Afghanistan had effectively become an Indian proxy and that India was fighting a low-intensity war against Pakistan using Afghan territory to avenge its defeat in the May conflict, during which seven Indian aircraft were reportedly downed.
The minister noted that the U.S. president himself had mentioned several times, including recently, that seven “beautiful” planes were destroyed during the skirmish between India and Pakistan.
The confrontation in May began after an attack on tourists in Indian-occupied Kashmir, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan without evidence. India later carried out airstrikes in Punjab and Azad Kashmir, sparking a four-day conflict during which both sides targeted each other’s air bases. A ceasefire was brokered by U.S. mediation on May 10. Pakistan initially claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft, later revising the number to seven.
When the interviewer described his accusation that India was using another country to take revenge as a bold statement, Khawaja Asif responded, “If you want, I can repeat it. I have no hesitation.”
He added that ties between Kabul and New Delhi had always existed regardless of changes in government and had consistently worked against Pakistan’s interests.
In response to another question, the defense minister warned that any violation along Pakistan’s eastern or western borders with India or Afghanistan would invite a firm response. He said Afghanistan had chosen to become India’s pawn, posing a serious threat to regional stability.
While avoiding speculation about a full-scale war, he admitted that rising border tensions could escalate further. “If we find evidence of cross-border interference, we will respond accordingly, even if it means crossing the line to settle the score,” he said.
When asked about Pakistan’s potential participation in an international peacekeeping force for Gaza, Asif said the country was open to joining efforts aimed at peace, stability, and reconstruction.
He dismissed social media reports claiming that Pakistan had conducted a hypersonic missile test near Quetta, calling them baseless speculation.
