asim munir

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir (File photo)

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir once again resorted to doublespeak on Kashmir, openly glorifying slain terrorists. Speaking at the Pakistan Naval Academy in Karachi, Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism, which he dubbed as a “legitimate struggle” in Jammu & Kashmir. Accusing India of escalating regional tensions, he called Pakistan a “net regional stabiliser” and claimed that Islamabad had responded “resolutely” to so-called “unprovoked” Indian military actions.

“Pakistan, despite grave provocations, acted with restraint and maturity, and demonstrated its commitment to regional peace and stability, which has led to Pakistan’s role as a net regional stabiliser,” Asim Munir said.

He went on to declare, “Pakistan is a strong advocate for a just resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.” Munir also called for a “just and peaceful resolution” to the Kashmir issue for lasting peace in the region.

Munir’s ‘jugular vein’ remark

His comments are a stark reminder of his earlier inflammatory rhetoric, where he described Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein” days before the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.

“Our stance is absolutely clear, it was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein, we will not forget it. We will not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle,” Munir said in Islamabad while addressing the Overseas Pakistani Convention on April 16.

In response to the Pahalgam terror, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting and eliminating terror launchpads deep inside Pakistani territory. The operation had three clear objectives: military, political, and psychological. All three were met, and over 100 terrorists, including high-value targets like Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudasir Ahmed, have been successfully eliminated in the operation without a single civilian being harmed.

The strikes reportedly involved the use of SCALP cruise missiles, laser-guided bombs, and armed UAVs, demonstrating the jointness and technological edge of India’s armed forces.