Islamabad, June 5: In a press briefing on Monday, Pakistan Army's chief spokesperson categorically ruled out the possibility of a full-blown military confrontation with India. Instead, he pitched for amicable resolution of disputes between the two nations.
"The Indians have to realise and understand where they want to go (in the future)…We are two nuclear powers and there is no space for war," said Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the head of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), while addressing the press on recent ceasefire violations.
Putting the onus on India for the ongoing turbulence at the border, Ghafoor said the Rangers are "forced to retaliate" after India targets "civilians" on the Pakistani side.
"We are willing to ignore the first shot that is fired from the Indian side, provided it does not result in a casualty on our side," he said, adding, "But the situation will not remain tenable if civilians will be targeted."
Ghafoor said the recent talks between the Directors General of Military Operations of both sides on May 29 is a step in the positive direction. The Indian and Pakistan DGMOs had, in their conversation, agreed to implement the 2003 ceasefire agreement in "letter and spirit".
However, three days after the phone conversation - on June 2 - Pakistani forces resorted to unprovoked firing again, killing two BSF jawans and injuring 10 civilians in Jammu & Kashmir's Akhnoor sector.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 05, 2018 11:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).