Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has confirmed that the country has launched strikes on Indian airfields, disabled India’s defense systems, and inflicted significant damage as part of its response to recent escalations.
In an exclusive interview with SAMAA TV, Asif emphasised that Pakistan was now prepared for the next phase of operations against India, highlighting the country’s readiness to escalate if necessary.
In his interview, Asif outlined that the time for testing Pakistan’s patience had passed, noting that despite facing aggression from India, Pakistan had refrained from escalating to a larger scale. "We tried not to escalate the situation, but we have effectively responded to Indian provocations," he said. The defense minister made it clear that Pakistan’s response had been both measured and impactful, emphasizing that despite attacks on key sites like the Nur Khan Air Base, Pakistan suffered no significant losses.
The defense minister also shed light on the strategic impact of Pakistan's operations, which included targeting Indian airfields. "We have attacked their airfields, and the Russian defense system that India relied on has been rendered ineffective," Asif stated, adding that this system had previously posed a significant challenge to Pakistani aircraft operations.
Asif noted the importance of Pakistan's military capabilities in the ongoing conflict, particularly emphasizing the role of the Air Force in the operations. “The Air Force has played a crucial and fundamental role. The more praise it gets, the less it deserves,” he remarked, stressing that the Pakistani forces' efforts were instrumental in shaping the current situation.
Despite the tense military exchange, Pakistan’s response has been characterized as part of a broader diplomatic strategy. Asif acknowledged the role of friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have called for patience and de-escalation. "We have adopted a measured strategy, and friendly nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have advised us to remain patient," he explained, suggesting that Pakistan’s approach was driven by careful calculation rather than impulsive actions.
Asif reiterated that Pakistan was fully prepared for the next phase of its response, signaling that the country was ready to escalate its actions if necessary. "Our preparations for the next phase are complete, and we are ready," he said, without revealing specific details about future military operations.
