Pak-India Tensions: These Quotes From DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor’s Press Conference Demand Respect

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DG ISPR Asif Ghafoor's Press conference

Director General of Inter-Services Public relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor held a press conference earlier today to recount the escalation of tensions between Pakistan and India.

The press conference came at the heels of an eventful 36 hours

During this period Indian warplanes in-filtered Pakistani territory, dropping payloads in haste as they were chased out by Pakistani jets.

India’s unprovoked aggression was responded to by Pakistan Airforce today when PAF planes entered Indian territory and dropped bombs in uninhabited locations ensuring that there was no loss of life.

This incident was immediately followed by another Indian air incursion into Pakistani territory. This time, PAF pilots shot down two Indian jets and took 2 IAF pilots into custody.

This is the first time in 48 years that Pakistan and India have used their airforce against each other. The last time was during the 1971 conflict.

Following this disturbingly rapid escalation in hostilities between the two countries, DG ISPR held a press conference to inform both the media as well as the people of Pakistan and India about the events that have shaken the citizens on both sides of the border.

Despite rising antagonism, Major General Asif Ghafoor’s press conference shied away from war-mongering and further fueling hate.

“…we don’t want to claim victory…”

DG ISPR began the presser by emphasizing that the movement of Pakistani jets inside Indian territory today was an act of self-defense. He also informed that two Indian pilots whose plane had been shot down inside Pakistani territory had been taken into custody.

However, he was quick to follow this update with a statement that is rather unexpected by a senior military official in times of conflict:

“Today’s action was in self-defense; we don’t want to claim any victory. The way we set out target and made sure that there was no collateral damage; the in-built message was that despite our capability, we look towards peace.”

“… no human life was affected”

Major General Asif Ghafoor emphasized that while Pakistan exercised its right to respond to unprovoked Indian aggression, it ensured that no life on the Indian side was lost.

“As a result of engaging our target, no human life was affected…we could have easily engaged the target, which our Air Force had locked. That would have resulted in human casualties and collateral damage.”

He called the use of nuclear weapons “Insane”

Since both Pakistan and India are nuclear states, in times like these there is always fear of a nuclear conflict that can potentially annihilate the entire region.

However, instead of resorting to war rhetoric, DG ISPR categorically called the use of nuclear weapons “insane,” when he was quizzed by a journalist on their possible use.

“I have always said that we must not talk about this. It is insane to talk about this.”

Click on the link below to watch DG ISPR’s talk with the media