Armed forces ready to respond to any Indian aggression: Qureshi

Amid escalating tensions at the Line of Control (LoC), Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Thursday warned India that Pakistan's armed forces are fully prepared to timely and appropriately respond to any aggression or false flag operation.

Responding to the provocative and threatening statement by Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and the massive deployment of Brahmos missile regiments, anti-tank guided missiles and spike missiles for use across the LoC, Qureshi said that the entire nation stands by its valiant armed forces to defeat any Indian nefarious design.

"We are a peaceful nation, but our desire for peace should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness. The entire nation stands by Pakistan armed forces, the ideology and geography of Pakistan as well as standing firmly with Kashmiris for their right to self-determination. [So] don't ever make any mistake," the foreign minister further warned India in a video statement, released to the media by Foreign Office.

He warned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying: "On behalf of the Pakistani nation, I want to declare that we are a peace-loving nation but don't ever forget 27th February."

On 27th February, 2019, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down two aircraft of Indian Air Force (IAF) in a military conflict between the two air forces a day after IAF conducted failed air strikes in Balakot.

Qureshi termed the statement by the Indian army chief 'very irresponsible,' saying that India can stage any drama to divert attention from the ongoing protests in India. "Our intelligence has monitored extraordinary movement, which indicates bad intentions of India," he said.

He said the designs of Modi are crystal clear as he took illegal steps on 5th of August, adding that the curfew has been continued for 136th consecutive day in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the entire held valley is facing total communication blackout.

Qureshi said that he has written another letter to the President of the Security Council to apprise him of the nefarious designs of India, adding that this is his seventh letter in which he pointed out the steps which indicate nefarious designs of India.

He said he drew attention of the world body towards four steps: over 3,000 ceasefire violations, targeting over 300 civilians including women and children since January 2019 alone, partial removal of fence on the LoC in five sectors, the reason could only be planning for some 'misadventure' across the LoC, the deployment of Brahmos missile regiments, anti-tank guided missiles and Spike missiles for use across the LoC and the conduct of numerous missile tests since August 2019.

"What are the Indian designs behind removal of fence at the LoC at five places? Is India going to resort to any new misadventure against Pakistan? We are concerned over it," he added.

He said on the basis of his letter, China raised this issue for the second time at the UN Security Council. He said China timely highlighted the issue at the Security Council. However, China postponed the Security Council's discussion on Kashmir, as reports claimed that it was deferred till the UN peacekeeping mission is given a detailed briefing.

"In view of the existing scenario, the UN Security Council should initiate probe through United Nations Military Observers Group so that they could apprise the Council of the ground realities," he said, adding that a date should be determined as soon as possible so that facts could reach the Security Council at the earliest.