Can inflict 'heavy losses' in war with India: Paksitan Defence minister

Islamabad: Pakistan's Defence Minister on Sunday warned India that it will suffer "heavy losses" which it would "remember for decades" if it tries 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-level talks set for August 23 when India made it clear that discussions on Kashmir and a meeting with separatists will not be acceptable.

Asif alleged India is diverting attention from its "internal failures" by creating tension on the borders. He claimed that Pakistan has proof of India's interference in the country which he said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would present at the UN General Assembly meeting in September and to the US leadership during his visit there in October.