Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, in his first address after being appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDF), referred to India and warned that Pakistan’s response would be even more severe. He was speaking about the four-day Operation Sindoor. Munir said that during the operation in May, the Indian Army entered Pakistani territory and launched an offensive, triggering a four-day clash between the two countries. A ceasefire was later announced after Pakistan sought it.
Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday claimed that Pakistan is a “peaceful nation” but warned that no one would be allowed to test Islamabad’s territorial integrity or sovereignty.
Asim Munir’s first address as CDF
“India should not be under any misconceptions, because Pakistan’s response will be even more swift and severe,” he said. Pakistan suffered significant military losses during the Indian Army’s actions in Operation Sindoor. India launched the operation in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in April.
Guard of Honour
Munir was given a Guard of Honour at the GHQ (Headquarters). He is appointed as the country’s first CDF. Addressing armed forces officers after inspecting the Guard of Honour, Munir stated that Pakistan’s response to any aggression would be “very swift and severe.”
Field Marshal Munir reiterated that Pakistan is a peace-loving country, but warned that no one will be allowed to threaten the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity.
Operation Sindoor
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to avenge the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The strikes set off four days of intense clashes, which ended on May 10 after both sides agreed to halt military action.
What he said on Afghanistan tensions
Regarding the Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, Munir said that a clear message has been sent to the Afghan Taliban regime in Kabul. He said, “The (Afghan) Taliban have no choice but to choose between the TTP and Pakistan.” The government last year notified the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan as ‘Fitna al-Khawarij,’ a reference to a group in Islamic history that engaged in violence.
The government issued a notification last week appointing Munir to the new role of CDF for a five-year term. He will also serve as the Chief of Army Staff.
The CDF was formed following the 27th Constitutional Amendment last month and subsequent changes made in the Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025.
