Pakistan’s first choice is peace, but response to aggression will be fierce: DG ISPR

Rawalpindi: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has stated that Pakistan's first and foremost choice is peace, but if India makes another reckless move, the response will be even more severe than before.

Addressing a special session with over 2,500 students from various universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military spokesperson emphasized that the nation and its armed forces have always been, and will remain, united.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said that India assumed Pakistan would not retaliate if attacked, but the entire country stood united. “By the will of Allah, we became an iron wall that dismantled every illusion and strategy devised by India and Modi,” he said.

He added, “They believed that the people and the army of Pakistan were divided — but that has never been the case. This nation and its military have always been one and will remain united.”

The DG ISPR revealed that under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, it was decided that India would be responded to at 26 locations. “In Muzaffarabad, where seven-year-old Irtiza was martyred due to shelling ordered by an Indian brigade headquarters, we destroyed that entire headquarters,” he said.

He further stated that “on May 6 and 7, the airbases from where the jets took off to target innocent Pakistani children were also destroyed by our forces.”

He asked rhetorically, “Tell me, did your army target a single civilian, a temple, or a non-combatant? Absolutely not. We are peace-loving and prefer peace, but if you repeat your mistake, our response will be even harsher.”

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif also said that behind every act of terrorism in Pakistan — whether carried out by extremist groups like Fitna al-Khawarij or separatists in Balochistan (Fitna al-Hindustan) — India’s hand is visible.

He condemned those attacking mosques and beheading innocent people, saying, “They have no link with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Pashtun traditions. These are followers of India.”

Criticizing Noor Wali, a militant leader, he said, “He claims Islam permits seeking help from disbelievers. That is wrong. Disbelief and truth cannot coexist — just as Islam and the Khawarij (deviants) cannot coexist. You seek help from India — the same India that dishonors our Kashmiri sisters.”

On Afghanistan, he said, “Afghans are our Muslim brothers and neighbors. The issue lies with their elite, who are funded and bought by India to act against Pakistan.”

He urged the Afghan people, “Please do not give shelter to terrorists or become tools of India.”

Concluding his address, he appealed to the brave people and tribes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying, “The time has come again — Kashmir will become Pakistan.”