Indian Army chief's statement 'invitation for nuclear encounter': Pakistan

Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Saturday issued a nuclear threat to India in response to a statement by Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat saying that the force was ready to call Pakistan's "nuclear bluff" and cross the border to carry out any operation if asked by the government.

The Pakistan foreign minister called the statement of the Indian Army chief as "very irresponsible" on Twitter and said it amounted to an "invitation for a nuclear encounter". He also said that the army was "welcome to test our resolve".

Addressing the press in Delhi on Friday, the Indian Army chief had made the statement about the forces being ready to call Pakistan's nuclear bluff. He was responding to a question on the possibility of Pakistan using its nuclear weapons in case the situation along the border deteriorates.

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After the Pakistan foreign minister's remarks, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal also criticised the Indian Army chief's statements on Twitter.

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Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor reacted to General Rawat's statement Pakistan has a credible nuclear capability, exclusively meant for the threat from the east. "But we believe it's a weapon of deterrence, not a choice," Geo TV quoted him as saying.

(With inputs from ANI)