Pakistan’s defence chief, Asim Munir claimed “divine intervention” helped Pakistan during May clashes with India
Pakistan’s Defence Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has said the country received “divine intervention” during its military confrontation with India in May, while also issuing a sharp message to Afghanistan’s Taliban regime over cross-border terrorism. His remarks come months after India carried out Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Munir made the comments at the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad earlier in December, where he recited verses from the Quran and addressed regional security issues. Referring to the four-day military confrontation with India in May, he said Pakistan’s armed forces experienced “divine intervention” during what he described as Pakistan’s drubbing against India.
“We felt it,” he said.
May conflict and religious references
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The strikes led to four days of intense military clashes between the two countries, which ended with an understanding to stop military actions on May 10.
During his address, Munir also drew parallels between Pakistan and the state established by the Prophet 1,400 years ago in the Arab region, present-day Saudi Arabia. He said there are 57 Islamic countries in the world and that among them, “God gave us the honour of being the protectors of Haramain Sharifain,” referring to Makkah and Madina.
Warning to Taliban over TTP
Munir urged the Afghan Taliban government to choose between Pakistan and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, stating that Afghan nationals make up a large share of terrorist infiltration across the border.
“In the TTP formations coming [into Pakistan], 70 per cent are Afghans,” he said. “Is Afghanistan not spilling the blood of our Pakistani children?” He repeated his call for the Taliban to decide between Pakistan and the TTP.
The defence chief also said that jihad in an Islamic state can only be authorised by the state itself.
“No one can issue a fatwa for jihad without the order and permission and will of those vested with the authority,” he said at the conference.
End of Article
