Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that his country will strike any structure India attempts to build on the Indus River, calling it an act of aggression. This threat comes after India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. Asif stated that blocking or diverting water is also a form of aggression that could lead to deaths due to hunger and thirst. He added that Pakistan would destroy any such structure built by India.
Pakistan has indicated it will raise the matter at international forums and is preparing to issue a formal diplomatic notice to India. Some top Pakistani officials have also escalated the rhetoric by suggesting a "full-force" response and even hinting at nuclear retaliation.
Speaking on a Geo News programme on Friday, the defence minister said, "Certainly, if they attempt to build any kind of structure, we will strike it." Asif said that building any structure on the Indus River would be seen as "Indian aggression" against Pakistan.
"Aggression is not just about firing cannons or bullets; it has many faces. One of those faces is [blocking or diverting water], which could lead to deaths due to hunger and thirst," he added.
Meanwhile, Indian leaders have dismissed these threats as empty posturing, with BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain calling the remarks baseless and a sign of Pakistan's growing desperation.