Pakistan Contacted India to Protest Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat’s Comments: Report

New Delhi, Jan 15: Pakistan contacted India through diplomatic channels to protest against Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat’s statement wherein he dared Islamabad to a nuclear encounter, reported Pak

New Delhi, Jan 15: Pakistan contacted India through diplomatic channels to protest against Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat’s statement wherein he dared Islamabad to a nuclear encounter, reported Pakistan-based The Nation, quoting unnamed government officials. “Pakistan has asked India not to spread war hysteria amid peace efforts by the doves from both the sides,” diplomatic sources told the newspaper.

Unnamed Pakistani foreign ministry officials, as reported by the newspaper, said, “India has been told that such statements will only worsen the tension. These statements invite reaction and counter-reaction.” Another official reportedly said that India was advised not to create an ‘atmosphere of uncertainty’ as regional issues cannot be resolved without peace and dialogue.

On Friday, General Bipin Rawat, during a media briefing in Delhi, said the force was ready to call Pakistan’s “nuclear bluff” and cross the border to carry out any operation if asked by the government. The Indian Army chief was responding to a question on the possibility of Pakistan using its nuclear weapons in case the situation along the border deteriorates.

Responding to Rawat’s remark, Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday issued a nuclear threat to India. “Very irresponsible statement by Indian Army Chief, not befitting his office. Amounts to invitation for nuclear encounter. If that is what they (India) desire, they are welcome to test our resolve. The general’s doubt would swiftly be removed, inshallah,” Asif tweeted.

Following Asif’s remarks, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal went on a tweeting spree. “The threatening and irresponsible statement by the Indian Army Chief today is representative of a sinister mindset that has taken hold of India. Pakistan has demonstrated deterrence capability,” he tweeted from his personal handle. “These are not issues to be taken lightly. There must not be any misadventure based on miscalculation. Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself,” he said in a second tweet.

This all comes after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor reacted to Gen. Rawat’s statement and said such statements were unbecoming of a person of his stature. “We believe COAS is a very responsible appointment and four-star is a rank with age-long experience and maturity,” the Geo TV quoted Ghafoor as saying.