Can inflict ''heavy losses'' in war with India: Pak minister

Islamabad, August 30

Pakistan's defence minister warned India on Sunday that the latter would suffer "heavy losses" which it would "remember for decades" if it tried to "impose" a war on his country.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said: "Pakistan's armed forces will defend every inch of their motherland at every cost".

He was talking to media during his visit to village Kundunpur along the international border in Sialkot.

"If India tries to impose war on Pakistan, heavy losses will be inflicted on India which it will remember for decades," the minister said.

Asif said "cowardly acts" by Indian forces have strengthened the determination of the nation to defend the motherland, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

"India's real face is exposed as it is supporting terrorism in Pakistan and creating tension on borders through unprovoked firing along the working boundary and line of control," he said.

His comments came in the backdrop of heightened tensions along the border and LoC after Pakistan called off NSA talks set for August 23 after India made it clear that discussions on Kashmir and a meeting with separatists will not be acceptable.

Asif accused India of diverting attention from its "internal failures" by creating tension on the borders.

He claimed that Pakistan had proof of India's interference in the country, which Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would present at the UN General Assembly meeting in September and to the US during his visit to the States in October. — PTI