NEW DELHI: Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir , during his second visit to the United States in two months and just months after Operation Sindoor , issued sharp anti-India remarks, declaring from US soil, "if we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us."
Munir also reportedly threatened Reliance Industries Ltd’s Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, which is the largest single-site refining complex in the world, as a possible target in any future military conflict with India.
'Religious fanatic' in control of nuclear button
A senior TOI source in New Delhi described the situation in Pakistan as dangerous, saying, "The (Pakistan) army, which is led by a religious fanatic, having the control of the nuclear button, has usurped the control and undermines the authority of the civilian govt. The principles of checks and balances have been diluted leading to unpredictability and uncertainty."
Back in April, a Pakistan minister had openly stated, "Pakistan’s arsenal — including Ghauri, Shaheen and Ghaznavi missiles along with 130 nuclear warheads, have been kept only for India."
Govt flags Pakistan's repeated nuclear threats
Government sources said Pakistan has often threatened to use nuclear weapons against India, follows a ‘first-use’ policy, and even got nuclear technology through illegal means from abroad. In April, a Pakistani minister claimed its missiles and 130 nuclear warheads were “only for India,” while in May, its envoy to Russia warned of using “full” conventional and nuclear power.
Officials warned that Pakistan’s mix of state-backed terrorism and extremist influence makes its nuclear weapons a danger not just to India but to the world. They recalled LeT chief Hafiz Saeed’s 2016 claim that these missiles could also target Israel and Western countries.
They added that Pakistan calls relations with India a “nuclear flashpoint,” even though India has never made such threats — showing Pakistan’s intent to keep the nuclear option open.
India slams ' nuclear sabre-rattling '
On Monday, the ministry of external affairs hit back strongly. Calling Munir's words "nuclear sabre-rattling" and "Pakistan’s stock-in-trade," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was "regrettable" that such threats were made "from the soil of a friendly third country (the US)."
"India has already made it clear it will not give in to nuclear blackmail... and will take all steps to safeguard our national security," he said.
Jaiswal described Munir’s remarks as "irresponsible" and said they reinforced "the well-held doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups."
Munir threatens to target RIL's Jamnagar refinery
Media reports say that during a formal dinner in Tampa, Florida, Munir referred to a social media post showing a Quranic verse alongside the picture of RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani.
According to those present at the closed-door event, Munir claimed he had authorised the post during the recent conflict with India “to show them what we will do the next time.”
Months after the Pahalgam terror attack triggered intense military escalation between India and Pakistan, Pakistan army chief Asim Munir has made provocative remarks.
Following the attack, India retaliated with counterterror strikes, destroying multiple terror hubs inside Pakistan. In response, Pakistan launched drone and missile strikes, all of which were intercepted and neutralised by India’s air defence system.
Just days ago, Indian Air Force chief described the Russian-made S-400 system as "a game-changer," confirming that the IAF shot down six Pakistani aircraft during the confrontation.
The standoff eventually eased after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart to agree on a peace arrangement.
India's military edge
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, India's military strength is far greater than Pakistan’s. India has around 1.4 million active military personnel, including 1.23 million in the Army, 75,500 in the Navy, 149,900 in the Air Force, and 13,350 in the Coast Guard.
Pakistan’s active military stands at fewer than 700,000 -- with 560,000 in the army, 70,000 in the air force, and 30,000 in the navy. India also has a much larger paramilitary force (2.5 million personnel) compared to Pakistan’s roughly 500,000, giving India a stronger capacity for internal security and counterinsurgency operations.
Nuclear capabilities : India pulls ahead
Both nations possess nuclear weapons, but for the first time in over 20 years, India is estimated to have more warheads -- about 180 compared to Pakistan's 170.
India's nuclear modernisation includes Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) on Agni-V ballistic missiles, giving it the ability to hit multiple targets at once. With a range of 5,000 to 8,000 km, the Agni-V can reach across Asia, including China.
Pakistan’s Shaheen-3 missile, still under development, has a range of about 2,750 km, covering all of India depending on launch location. Both countries are also working on a full nuclear triad -- the ability to launch nuclear weapons from land, sea, and air -- increasing the risks of escalation in the region.
Munir also reportedly threatened Reliance Industries Ltd’s Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, which is the largest single-site refining complex in the world, as a possible target in any future military conflict with India.
'Religious fanatic' in control of nuclear button
A senior TOI source in New Delhi described the situation in Pakistan as dangerous, saying, "The (Pakistan) army, which is led by a religious fanatic, having the control of the nuclear button, has usurped the control and undermines the authority of the civilian govt. The principles of checks and balances have been diluted leading to unpredictability and uncertainty."
Back in April, a Pakistan minister had openly stated, "Pakistan’s arsenal — including Ghauri, Shaheen and Ghaznavi missiles along with 130 nuclear warheads, have been kept only for India."
Govt flags Pakistan's repeated nuclear threats
Government sources said Pakistan has often threatened to use nuclear weapons against India, follows a ‘first-use’ policy, and even got nuclear technology through illegal means from abroad. In April, a Pakistani minister claimed its missiles and 130 nuclear warheads were “only for India,” while in May, its envoy to Russia warned of using “full” conventional and nuclear power.
Officials warned that Pakistan’s mix of state-backed terrorism and extremist influence makes its nuclear weapons a danger not just to India but to the world. They recalled LeT chief Hafiz Saeed’s 2016 claim that these missiles could also target Israel and Western countries.
They added that Pakistan calls relations with India a “nuclear flashpoint,” even though India has never made such threats — showing Pakistan’s intent to keep the nuclear option open.
India slams ' nuclear sabre-rattling '
On Monday, the ministry of external affairs hit back strongly. Calling Munir's words "nuclear sabre-rattling" and "Pakistan’s stock-in-trade," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was "regrettable" that such threats were made "from the soil of a friendly third country (the US)."
"India has already made it clear it will not give in to nuclear blackmail... and will take all steps to safeguard our national security," he said.
Jaiswal described Munir’s remarks as "irresponsible" and said they reinforced "the well-held doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups."
Munir threatens to target RIL's Jamnagar refinery
Media reports say that during a formal dinner in Tampa, Florida, Munir referred to a social media post showing a Quranic verse alongside the picture of RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani.
According to those present at the closed-door event, Munir claimed he had authorised the post during the recent conflict with India “to show them what we will do the next time.”
Months after the Pahalgam terror attack triggered intense military escalation between India and Pakistan, Pakistan army chief Asim Munir has made provocative remarks.
Following the attack, India retaliated with counterterror strikes, destroying multiple terror hubs inside Pakistan. In response, Pakistan launched drone and missile strikes, all of which were intercepted and neutralised by India’s air defence system.
Just days ago, Indian Air Force chief described the Russian-made S-400 system as "a game-changer," confirming that the IAF shot down six Pakistani aircraft during the confrontation.
The standoff eventually eased after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart to agree on a peace arrangement.
India's military edge
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, India's military strength is far greater than Pakistan’s. India has around 1.4 million active military personnel, including 1.23 million in the Army, 75,500 in the Navy, 149,900 in the Air Force, and 13,350 in the Coast Guard.
Pakistan’s active military stands at fewer than 700,000 -- with 560,000 in the army, 70,000 in the air force, and 30,000 in the navy. India also has a much larger paramilitary force (2.5 million personnel) compared to Pakistan’s roughly 500,000, giving India a stronger capacity for internal security and counterinsurgency operations.
Nuclear capabilities : India pulls ahead
Both nations possess nuclear weapons, but for the first time in over 20 years, India is estimated to have more warheads -- about 180 compared to Pakistan's 170.
India's nuclear modernisation includes Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs) on Agni-V ballistic missiles, giving it the ability to hit multiple targets at once. With a range of 5,000 to 8,000 km, the Agni-V can reach across Asia, including China.
Pakistan’s Shaheen-3 missile, still under development, has a range of about 2,750 km, covering all of India depending on launch location. Both countries are also working on a full nuclear triad -- the ability to launch nuclear weapons from land, sea, and air -- increasing the risks of escalation in the region.
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