Any Indian Aggression Will Receive a Crushing Response, Occupied Jammu & Kashmir Is Pakistan’s Jugular Vein”: Field Marshal Asim Munir

Washington D.C.:  Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, addressed the Pakistani community, praising overseas Pakistanis as “a source of pride and dignity” whose passion for their homeland matches that of their compatriots back home.

Speaking at a community gathering, he underscored the crucial role overseas Pakistanis play in Pakistan’s progress, including their swift responses during national crises. He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s prosperity is closely tied to its diaspora, noting that “our 64% youth population is brimming with potential and will play a decisive role in shaping the country’s future.”

On regional security, Field Marshal Munir strongly criticized India’s policies, accusing its intelligence agency, RAW, of involvement in transnational terrorist activities. He cited high-profile incidents such as the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, the espionage case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, and the conviction of eight Indian naval officers in Qatar.

He condemned recent Indian aggression that violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and martyred innocent civilians, warning that “any Indian aggression will receive a crushing response.” Emphasizing that Jammu & Kashmir is an unresolved international dispute, he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The Army Chief credited former U.S. President Donald Trump’s strategic leadership with preventing an India-Pakistan war during heightened tensions, noting that Pakistan’s measured but firm military response successfully avoided a wider escalation.

Highlighting his second U.S. visit in six weeks, Field Marshal Munir said it reflects “a new dimension in Pakistan-U.S. relations” aimed at putting bilateral ties on a “constructive, sustainable, and positive track.” He expressed optimism about potential trade agreements that could bring significant investment to Pakistan, citing ongoing cooperation with the U.S., Saudi Arabia, UAE, and China.

On the situation in Gaza, he called the ongoing violence “a grave human tragedy with severe global and regional repercussions.”

He warned that multiple terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, including Fitna al-Khawarij, are actively targeting Pakistan. “There will be no sympathy for terrorists; they will face justice with the full might of the state,” he asserted.

Field Marshal Munir also spoke on the impact of social media, warning against its misuse by hostile elements to create “manufactured chaos.” Quoting the Holy Qur’an, he urged Pakistanis to verify information before acting on it.

Concluding his address, he credited Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and security successes against India to the blessings of Allah, the nation’s unity, the political leadership’s vision, and the professionalism of the armed forces.