Khawaja Asif alleges that India is driving instability along Pakistan’s western border, claiming the Taliban’s decisions are being “sponsored by Delhi” amid fresh clashes and a fragile ceasefire with Afghanistan.
PC Bureau
November 19, 2025: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday warned that Islamabad cannot rule out the possibility of an “all-out war” with India, saying the country remains on “full alert” amid rising regional tensions.
Speaking to Samaa TV, Asif said, “We are neither ignoring India nor trusting it under any circumstances. Based on my analysis, I cannot rule out a full-scale war or any hostile action from India, including border incursions or attacks. We must stay fully alert.”
His remarks follow recent comments by India’s Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, who described Operation Sindoor as an “88-hour trailer” and said the Indian armed forces were prepared to “teach [Pakistan] how to behave responsibly with a neighbouring nation” if required.
The sharpening rhetoric comes after a series of violent incidents in India this year. On November 10, a car explosion in New Delhi killed 15 people—the second major attack after the deadly strike in Pahalgam earlier in the year.
Pakistani Def Min Khawaja Asif
“I cannot rule out an ALL-OUT WAR or any hostile strategy from India, including border incursions or attacks. We must stay fully alert”. pic.twitter.com/IqYBMZoUVq
— War & Gore (@Goreunit) November 19, 2025
Asif had earlier signalled a hardening stance, claiming Pakistan was ready to confront threats on multiple fronts. “We are prepared to face both the eastern (India) and western (Afghanistan) borders,” he told a media outlet this month. “Allah helped us in round one, and He will help us in round two. If they want the final round, we have no option but war.”
His latest warning comes as tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have surged. Last month, heavy clashes between Pakistani forces and the Taliban resulted in significant casualties on both sides before a ceasefire was brokered on October 19 through mediation by Turkey and Qatar.
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The fighting erupted after Islamabad demanded that the Taliban act against militants allegedly operating from Afghan territory. Pakistan then carried out cross-border airstrikes, prompting fierce retaliation. The Taliban has rejected Islamabad’s allegations, insisting Afghan soil “is not being used to attack Pakistan” and that the Islamic Emirate “does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.”
Against this backdrop, Asif accused India of playing a role in attacks launched from Afghanistan and warned that Pakistan could be pushed into a two-front confrontation. Pakistani media reports quoted him as saying New Delhi was the main force driving tensions between Islamabad and Kabul and that India “does not want the two neighbours to resolve their disputes.”
Speaking to Geo News last month, Asif said, “I have my doubts that the ceasefire will hold, because the decisions of the [Afghan] Taliban are being sponsored by Delhi.” He added, “Right now, Kabul is fighting a proxy war for Delhi.”
