Gen Dwivedi vs Khawaja Asif: Defence Chiefs Lock Horns Over Terrorism

Indian Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi warned that Pakistan risks being “erased from the world map” if it continues to support terrorism. In response, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif threatened that India would be “buried under the wreckage of its warplanes.”

The verbal clash follows the Indian military’s Operation Sindoor, launched in May after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), triggering four days of cross-border hostilities.

India claims to have inflicted significant damage, including the destruction of Pakistani F-16 jets, radars, and command centers. Pakistan, meanwhile, alleges it downed six Indian jets—claims that remain unverified.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh added fuel to the fire, asserting India’s readiness to cross borders to protect national integrity and warning of a “decisive response” to any misadventure in disputed regions like Sir Creek.

Diplomatic fallout continues, with India pausing the Indus Waters Treaty and declaring that future talks hinge on the return of PoK.