Posted on 05/31/2002 12:34:54 PM PDT by flamefront
ISLAMABAD, May 30 (PNS): President Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday warned that Pakistan would "unleash a storm" if Indian forces set foot across the Line of Control (LoC). "Any incursion by the Indian forces across the LoC even by an inch will unleash a storm that will sweep the enemy," he told cheering troops during a visit to the LoC.
Musharraf said that Pakistan would counter-attack if India started a conflict. "Victory comes through offensive strategy and our forces are ready for it if war is thrust on Pakistan by India," he said.
Musharraf on Wednesday said that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) would play a leading role in the defence of the motherland in case war was thrust on Pakistan. Addressing the officers and men at PAF Base Minhas, President Musharraf said: "Military history is full of examples where numerically inferior forces defeated the larger numbers; and in our own history, the PAF has displayed outstanding performances against IAF which has been a much bigger air force."
"The PAF is small but a potent and hard-hitting air force with the ability to strike and surprise the enemy in such a manner that she will repent the decision to opt for war," he said. "Seeing the glimmer in the eyes of all pilots and airmen I met, I am fully confident that, Insha'Allah, the PAF will give a befitting response to any adventurism by India and create yet another chapter full of glory and valour in the history. I am extremely proud and motivated after seeing the highest state of preparedness and morale being maintained by the PAF."
President Musharraf commended the efforts of PAF personnel for attaining the required deterrence level through indigenisation despite heavy odds. He said that the PAF had achieved highest degree of operational readiness under the able leadership of Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir in the shortest possible time.
Referring to the Jammu incident, he said that the enemy had been trying to create a dangerous situation in the region by posing such scenes. "Defence forces of the country are fully prepared and ready to respond in a befitting manner in case of any aggression from across the borders. And if the war is thrust on us it will be fought in the enemy's territory," he said.
"The people of Pakistan have always had faith in the ability of the armed forces to inflict unbearable damage to the enemy," he said, adding that the armed forces and the people of Pakistan would shed last drop of their blood in defence of their motherland and the enemy would be taught an unforgettable lesson. The spirit to sacrifice for the defence of the motherland had always made the difference in the past conflicts and the same would be demonstrated in the future as well, he added.
Earlier, on arrival President General Pervez Musharraf was received by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir, Air Officer Commanding Northern Air Command Air Vice Marshal Saleem Nawaz and Base Commander Air Commodore Hameed Qadri. He was briefed on the operational preparedness of PAF and wartime role of the base. He also inspected the fleet of frontline fighter aircraft of the PAF and witnessed the ongoing operational activities to meet any threat. President Musharraf also met the fighter pilots and technicians of the different squadrons deployed on the base.
In his observations in the visitors' book, the president wrote: "It is my proud privilege to have visited PAF Base Minhas seeing the glimmer in the eyes of all pilots and airmen I met. I am full confident that Insha'Allah, PAF will give a befitting response to any adventurism by India. May God be with you always and protect you from harms way. I am proud of all of you."
New Delhi, May 30. (UNI): India today dismissed as "yet another example of belligerent posturing" Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's statement that his country would unleash a storm if Indian forces set foot across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The statement perfectly validates what we said in response to his (Gen Musharraf) speech on Monday that Pakistan's stand is disappointing and dangerous, which adds to tension," an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said here.
She was commenting on Gen Musharraf's speech when he addressed Pakistani troops during a visit to forward areas in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).
On Pakistan Ambassador to the United Nations Muneer Khan's re ported statement that Pakistan would respond with nuclear weapons even if India were to wage a conventional war, the spokesperson said "This is yet another manifestation of loose talk".
She said "such irresponsible statements emanating from Pakistan must be contrasted with the responsibility India has constantly displayed...the world should draw appropriate inferences from the contrast and the fact that Pakistan seems to be prepared to stoop to any depths."
Gonna go home, pop some popcorn, open a beer and watch the war..."LIVE! On CNN!"
Anybody got bets on when this party is gonna get started?
I can't really tell when things start if Pak fires first.
The people of Pakistan have always had faith in the ability of the armed forces to inflict unbearable damage to the enemyYet they have a civil society in ruins, and a government unable to deliver the most basic services.
I'm convinced that Pak will start this thing somewhere, somehow, and no later than the middle of June.
Why 'breaking news'?
It won't. This will all be out of the news in less than a month, thats my bet.
Let me be the first to say..that "glimmer in the eyes" is called INSANITY
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