Operation Sindoor: Pakistan willing to ease tensions if India de-escalates, says Defence Minister Khawaja Asif

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. Pic/AFP

Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said that Pakistan is ready to "wrap up" tensions with India, if New Delhi de-escalates the situation, reported news agency PTI.

His remarks came hours after India carried out a military strike, Operation Sindoor, on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Asif was reported as saying by Bloomberg Television that Pakistan will only respond if attacked.

"We have been saying all along in the last fortnight that we'll never initiate anything hostile towards India. But if we're attacked, we'll respond. If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up this tension," he said, reported PTI.

Regarding the possibility of talks, the minister said he was not aware of any such potential engagements.

Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes, Operation Sindoor, on nine terror targets in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry in a media interaction said at least 26 people were killed and 46 injured in the missile strikes by India.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his armed forces "know very well how to deal with the enemy", reported PTI.

"Pakistan has every right to give a befitting reply to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given," he said, reported PTI.

"We will never let the enemy succeed in its nefarious objectives," he added.

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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had told the top defence brass that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the attack.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif early Wednesday termed the Indian missile strikes on terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Punjab province as an "act of war" and said his country has every right to give a "befitting reply."

Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry in a media interaction said at least 26 people were killed and 46 injured in the missile strikes on cities in Punjab and PoK.

"The six locations that India attacked last night... Pakistan lost 26 people and 46 were injured," he said.

(With inputs from PTI)