Pakistan Fumes: Khawaja Asif Issues Hollow Threat in Response to Rajnath Singh’s ‘Bringing to Knees’ Remark

New Delhi: Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has issued a fresh hollow threat to India. He stated that, in the event of any future military confrontation, Pakistan would deliver a swift, balanced, and decisive response. This statement comes just ahead of the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack and ‘Operation Sindoor.’ Khawaja Asif’s reaction follows a statement by India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, in which the latter warned Pakistan against attempting any misadventure under the cover of the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Rajnath Singh had asserted that if Pakistan were to engage in any such act, India’s response would be unprecedented and decisive. During his remarks, he reminded Pakistan that ‘Operation Sindoor’ has not yet concluded. Speaking at an event in Kerala, Rajnath Singh recalled that following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian Army launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ and, within a mere 22 minutes, brought Pakistan to its knees. India had launched this operation on the morning of May 7—14 days after the killing of 25 tourists by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists on April 22, 2025.

Reacting on the social media platform ‘X’, Khawaja Asif characterized Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement as part of a recurring pattern. He remarked, “Such rhetoric reflects not strength, but rather strategic anxiety—particularly as the anniversary of the Pahalgam attack approaches. Such threats are nothing new; they constitute part of a calculated strategy aimed at masking internal vulnerabilities and escalating tensions for the sake of political expediency.”

Issuing a hollow threat, Khawaja Asif declared, “Next time, our response will be even more powerful and decisive.” “There should be no misconception that Pakistan is committed to peace and regional stability, yet it remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty.” It is worth noting that tensions between the two nations escalated following the Pahalgam attack, leading to a four-day military confrontation. India destroyed nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Subsequently, Pakistan made an unsuccessful attempt to launch drone and missile attacks against India. In retaliation, India bombed 12 Pakistani airbases, forcing the country to its knees. Several of Pakistan’s airbases are still undergoing repairs. This conflict concluded on May 10 with a ceasefire, after Pakistan appealed to India for a truce. Following the Pahalgam attack, India also suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.