ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir, during a visit to the Quetta Command and Staff College on Friday, strongly criticized India’s actions regarding the Indus Water Treaty, referring to them as “unlawful and legally untenable hydro-terrorism.”
Addressing faculty and student officers, the army chief emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute while cautioning against India’s increasingly aggressive behavior in the region.
His comments come on the heels of a military escalation in early May, which began when India, without presenting credible evidence, blamed Pakistan for a deadly attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The situation quickly spiraled as India launched airstrikes inside Pakistani territory, resulting in civilian casualties. In retaliation, Pakistan downed five Indian aircraft. The confrontation only deescalated after American diplomatic intervention led to a ceasefire on May 10.
Pakistan Will Not Be Coerced, Says COAS
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Field Marshal Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to confront any form of aggression and asserted that the nation would never be coerced. He warned that India’s exploitation of the Indus Water Treaty, which New Delhi has now placed in “abeyance,” amounts to a dangerous and destabilizing tactic.
Highlighting the shifting nature of regional threats, the COAS stated that Pakistan is prepared to respond across the full spectrum of conflict. He paid tribute to the martyrs of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, reaffirming solidarity with their families and praising the resilience of the Pakistani people, whom he called “a wall of steel” in defense of the nation.
Leadership, Innovation, and Future Warfare
Addressing the young officers, Field Marshal Munir stressed the importance of innovative thinking, research, and strategic preparedness.
He praised the Command and Staff College Quetta for cultivating military leadership grounded in professionalism and commitment. “Training must reflect not only the current realities but also prepare us for the future battlefield, one that demands agility, innovation, and unwavering resolve,” he said.
Field Marshal Munir’s promotion last week made him the second officer in Pakistan’s history to receive the highest military rank, following Field Marshal Ayub Khan in 1959.
His elevation was a recognition of his strategic leadership during the recent confrontation with India.
