Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday lauded the Pakistan armed forces’ prompt and decisive response to Indian aggression during Marka-e-Haq, warning that any future hostility would be met with an even more forceful reply.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of a picture book titled The Battle of Truth (Marka-e-Haq), published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in collaboration with the Inter-Services Public Relations, he said the entire nation stood united against any form of enemy aggression.

He said Pakistan had emerged as a more stable and powerful country and had become a symbol of stability in the region. “We are ready for any kind of Indian proxy war,” he added.

The minister said the Pakistan armed forces had foiled India’s “nefarious designs” during Marka-e-Haq and successfully neutralised its S-400 air defence system.

He said no country in the region was safe from India’s Hindutva mindset, adding that it had repeatedly imposed wars on Pakistan to divert attention from its internal issues.

Referring to 2019, Asif said India carried out so-called surgical strikes following the Pulwama incident but ended up losing an aircraft and having a pilot captured. He added that a similar conspiracy was hatched after a false-flag operation in Pahalgam.

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The defence minister said India’s hegemonic mindset posed a serious challenge to peace and development in South Asia. He added that Pakistan had always responded responsibly to tensions while remaining committed to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Asif said Pakistan had consistently played a constructive role in promoting global peace and remained among the leading contributors to United Nations peacekeeping missions, reflecting its peace-loving approach.

Commending the professionalism and sacrifices of the armed forces, he said the nation stood united behind them. He added that the people of Pakistan, regardless of political or regional differences, had repeatedly demonstrated solidarity during times of crisis, forming a “steel-like wall” against external threats.

He said Pakistan had not only demonstrated strength on the defence front but had also achieved significant diplomatic gains, earning recognition at the international level.

Reaffirming unity, the minister said Pakistan’s armed forces and people would remain prepared to respond effectively to future challenges.