Indian Army Officer Killed By Pakistani Sniper In Cross-Border Firing
Pakistan's defence minister warned on Sunday that India would suffer "heavy losses" it would "remember for decades" if it tried 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 the media during his visit to a village 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 Pakistan to defend its land, 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.
Asif's 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 would not be acceptable. Nine people were killed during an exchange of fire on Friday along the border.
Asif alleged India was diverting attention from its "internal failures" by creating tension on the borders.
He claimed that Pakistan had 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.
US National Security Adviser Susan Rice met Pakistan's prime minister on Sunday to press concerns over attacks launched by militants based in Pakistan, officials said.
The United States has urged Pakistan and India to get reconciliation talks back on track