In a significant escalation of rhetoric, Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, issued a stern warning to India on Saturday, October 18, 2025. He stated unequivocally that his country would deliver a ‘decisive response’ to even the slightest provocation, stressing that there is no viable room for war in a ‘nuclearized environment’ like theirs.
General Munir made these remarks during a graduation ceremony for army cadets at the prestigious Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, located in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
He explicitly cautioned India’s military leadership, stating, ‘I advise and firmly caution India’s military leadership that there is no space for war in a nuclearized environment.’
Notably, in a related statement, Asim Munir previously claimed that assertions of Pakistan receiving external support during a four-day conflict with India were incorrect.
General Munir emphasized, ‘We will never be intimidated, nor coerced by rhetoric, and will respond decisively to even a minor provocation without any qualms.’
Reflecting on a recent military conflict between India and Pakistan, Field Marshal Munir asserted that his nation’s armed forces displayed ‘remarkable professionalism’ and ‘far-reaching capabilities.’ He claimed they successfully ‘neutralized’ all threats and emerged ‘victorious’ against a ‘numerically superior adversary.’ This conflict followed India’s launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, which targeted terror infrastructure within Pakistan. This operation was a direct retaliation for the devastating April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
After four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, both India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to de-escalate the conflict. This resolution came after direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both countries.
Field Marshal Munir further accused India of leveraging terrorism to destabilize Pakistan, stating that a ‘handful of terrorists’ could not undermine Pakistan’s security. He issued a stern warning that all ‘proxies’ operating from Afghan soil would be ‘raised to dust,’ seemingly referring to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The Army chief also called upon India to resolve ‘core issues’ in accordance with international norms, a clear allusion to the long-standing Kashmir dispute. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to offering ‘moral and diplomatic support’ to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
While portraying Pakistan as a peace-loving nation, Munir highlighted its robust diplomatic ties with influential global powers, including the United States and China.
The graduation ceremony also saw cadets from various allied nations, such as Malaysia, Nepal, Palestine, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Yemen, Mali, Maldives, and Nigeria, successfully complete their training. Field Marshal Munir extended his congratulations to the graduating cadets and commended the PMA’s pivotal role as a ‘cornerstone of military excellence and international camaraderie.’