ISLAMABAD: Pakistan foreign minister Assef Ali warned last week that India Was dragging the Asian subcontinent towards war,” Pakistan desires Peace, but India’s recent actions and Current deadly escalation of the situation compels us to state our position absolutely clearly,” he said.
The foreign minister didn’t offer any evidence or details about the Indian troop movement. Any violation by Indian forces, by air or by ground, would be responded to by Pakistan by instant punitive retaliation and there should be no doubt and no mistake about this in New Delhi,” Assef Ali said.
Since Pakistan and India gained their independence from Britain in 1947, they have fought two wars over Kashmir in 1948 and 1965. They fought a third war in 1971 over Bangladesh, or what was then east Pakistan has lost all three battles with India, whose army is at least three times the size of Pakistan’s, ).
Pakistan claims 600,000 Indian soldiers have been deployed in Kashmir since 1989 when militant secessionists launched their insurgency to demand cither outright independence or union with Pakistan. Indian officials say between 300,000 and 500,000 troops are deployed in Kashmir, including paramilitary, Border Security Force and the army. ‘The already hostile relationship between the two countries, deteriorated after Kashmiri militants took five Western hostages last month.
Since the killing last week of the Norwegian hostage, Hans Christian Ostro, both sides have traded biter accusations. Although squabbling has become a feature of the relationship between Pakistan and India, many international observers say they fear the rhetoric can spin out of control and lead to a military confrontation.
Both countries are believed capable: of building nuclear weapons and many’ people fear a fourth war would result in the use of an atomic bomb.
Assef Ali said Pakistan was alarmed: at the fact that the (Indian) Prime! Minister is being managed and more: by the hawks or hardliners in New! Delhi.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 25, 1995
