Post by : Rameen Ariff

Pakistan’s newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Asim Munir, has raised tensions once again with a strong warning to India during his first formal address after assuming command of all three military services. Speaking at a special ceremony in Islamabad, Munir declared that Pakistan’s response to any future Indian action would be “swift, severe, and intense,” reinforcing his long-held aggressive stand on India-Pakistan relations.

Munir, who recently became Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces after a major restructuring of the military command, told officers that New Delhi should not underestimate Islamabad’s capabilities. His remarks come months after India carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the deadly Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The cross-border strikes were followed by four days of heavy exchanges before both countries agreed to halt hostilities on May 10.

During his address, Munir described Pakistan as a peaceful nation but warned that no one would be allowed to challenge the country’s territorial integrity or sovereignty. He said Pakistan’s armed forces remain fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders under any circumstances. At the ceremony, Munir received a guard of honour from contingents of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force, marking his formal entry as the highest-ranking military authority in the country.

Munir also took a tough line on Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions, stating that the Taliban regime in Kabul had been given a clear message regarding the presence and activities of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He said the Taliban must choose between supporting the TTP or maintaining stable ties with Pakistan. Islamabad last year labelled the TTP as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” a term drawn from Islamic history referring to a violent extremist group.

The Pakistan Defence Chief highlighted that the newly created Defence Forces Headquarters represents a major shift in Islamabad’s military structure at a time of growing security challenges. He said modern warfare demands stronger coordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force, while maintaining each service’s individual operational strengths. The new CDF headquarters, according to Munir, will oversee multi-domain operations and ensure unified decision-making across all branches.

Munir’s rise to the most powerful military position follows the 27th Constitutional Amendment and subsequent changes to the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy Acts. His five-year tenure gives him authority over all three forces as well as full oversight of the National Strategic Command, which manages Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and missile systems. This consolidation of power makes Munir the most influential figure in Pakistan’s military and strategic landscape.

This is not the first time Asim Munir has issued harsh statements about India. In October, even as Pakistan faced criticism for bombing Afghan border areas, the Pakistan Defence Chief escalated rhetoric by suggesting that Islamabad’s growing military capability could challenge India’s “geographical warspace.” He has also repeatedly referred to Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” a statement he made shortly before the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives.

The event marking his appointment was attended by Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and senior commanders from all three services, reflecting the significance of the leadership shift within Pakistan’s defence structure.

As Asim Munir begins his term as Pakistan’s Defence Chief, his latest warning adds fresh tension to the already strained India-Pakistan relationship. With both nations on alert and regional instability continuing, his statements are likely to draw strong attention across South Asia and the global strategic community.

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