Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s latest remarks—calling madrasa students the country’s “second line of defence”—have sparked alarm and criticism amid already soaring tensions with India. The statement, issued during a parliamentary session in Islamabad, not only underscores Pakistan’s blurred lines between military operations and religious institutions, but also heightens international concern over the potential radicalization of youth in conflict.
Key Highlights:
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Controversial Statement on Madrasas:Khawaja Asif declared that madrasa students would be “used as needed 100 per cent,” describing them as part of Pakistan’s strategic defence structure. This has drawn intense scrutiny due to longstanding allegations that some madrasas are linked to extremist groups, and it reinforces fears of Pakistan institutionalizing non-state actors in national defence roles.
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Contradictory Claims on Drone Attacks:Asif also contradicted the Pakistan Army's earlier statement by admitting that recent Indian drone attacks were not intercepted—supposedly to avoid exposing Pakistan's air defence system locations. This claim clashes directly with military assertions that the drones had been successfully neutralized.
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CNN Interview Embarrassment:In a separate interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson, Asif failed to provide evidence for Pakistan’s claim of shooting down Indian jets, relying instead on “social media” as his source. Anderson’s sharp response—"You’re the defence minister, sir, not here to talk about content all over social media"—highlighted the credibility gap in Pakistan's narrative.
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Pakistan’s Ongoing Aggression – ‘Bunyan-un-Marsoos’:For the second consecutive day, Pakistan continued its unprovoked offensive under Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, using drones and long-range weaponry to target Indian military installations and civilian infrastructure—including hospitals and schools—across Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. A high-speed missile aimed at Punjab was intercepted by Indian defences.
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India’s Calibrated Retaliation:India responded with precision airstrikes on multiple Pakistani military targets, including airbases (Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunia), radar sites in Pasrur, and an aviation facility in Sialkot. These were aimed strictly at military assets, reaffirming India’s doctrine of measured retaliation.
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Casualties and Damage:Pakistani shelling has killed five Indian civilians, including a senior official in J&K. In Ferozepur, Punjab, a drone crash-landed in a residential area, injuring three family members. The Indian Army also showcased the remains of intercepted Pakistani kamikaze drones (Byker YIHA III models), which were deployed to target high-value assets.
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Diplomatic Outreach:U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir and Indian EAM S. Jaishankar, urging de-escalation. Jaishankar reiterated India’s restraint, saying its actions were “responsible and proportionate.”
