“India must not stay under any illusion”: Aasim Munir threatens “serious response” to any aggression after becoming CDF

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Aasim Munir, has claimed that Pakistan is a peace-loving nation but will not allow anyone to challenge its sovereignty or territorial integrity. His remarks came in the backdrop of statements by Indian leaders and ongoing tensions along the Afghanistan border.

It is noteworthy that after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, in which 26 people were killed, India carried out Operation Sindoor on 7 May, targeting terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Addressing military officers for the first time after assuming charge as the CDF, Munir said India “must not stay under any illusion,” warning that any aggression would receive a “serious and immediate response.”

He also stated that a clear message has been delivered to the Afghan Taliban on the issue of Fitna al Khawariji (TTP)—they must choose whether to stand with Pakistan or with the TTP.

The post of CDF was created after Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment and recent changes to the Army, Air Force, and Navy Acts. Munir described this as a “historic and fundamental shift” in Pakistan’s defence structure. He said the newly formed Defence Forces Headquarters will coordinate operations of all three services, while each force will retain its own speciality and operational role.