If India tries to...: Pakistan minister warns of striking Kolkata in future war

Kolkata is the latest to feature in Pakistan’s long list of warnings to India, but much like before, the threats came wrapped in sweeping claims and no evidence.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday warned that any future conflict would not stay near the border and could reach deep inside India, naming Kolkata as a potential target.

“If India tries to stage any false flag operation this time, then God-willingly, we will take it to Kolkata,” Asif said while speaking to reporters in Sialkot.

He claimed there were indications of a possible “false flag” plot involving “their own men or Pakistanis in their detention”, suggesting bodies could be planted and blamed on terrorism. He did not offer any evidence.

‘WE WILL ENTER THEIR HOMES’

Asif did not stop at Kolkata. Raising the pitch, he said the next round of conflict would go much further.

“If they try again, they will face even greater humiliation than last year. This time, the conflict will not remain limited to 200 to 250 km. We will enter their territory and strike them inside their own homes,” he said.

The remarks mirror earlier warnings from Pakistan’s establishment about expanding the theatre of conflict eastwards, though without clarity on what has changed on the ground.

INDIA’S COUNTER: ‘UNPRECEDENTED RESPONSE’

The warning follows a blunt message from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who said any “misadventure” would draw an “unprecedented and decisive” response.

Speaking in Kerala, Singh pointed to India’s response after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

“I would like to tell you the operation is not over yet. If such dirty actions are repeated by Pakistan, our armed forces will give a befitting reply which they would not forget ever,” he said.

PAHALGAM TO CEASEFIRE

The tensions trace back to April 22, 2025, when the Pahalgam attack triggered a four-day military escalation between the two countries.

India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with missile and drone strikes. Pakistan responded with artillery, drones and missiles, widening the scope of the conflict.

A ceasefire followed on May 10, 2025, after direct talks.

FORMER ENVOY STIRS FRESH CONTROVERSY

Earlier, former Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit days back made controversial remarks about targeting Indian cities in a hypothetical scenario.

“If America attacks Pakistan we have to attack India, Mumbai, New Delhi, without a second thought. We won’t leave it we’ll see what happens later,” Basit said during a discussion.

While describing the situation as unlikely, he added, “If someone sees us with a bad eye Pakistan will have no other option than to attack India wherever it wants. We don’t want that to happen India doesn’t want that either.”

Basit, who served in New Delhi between 2014 and 2017, has been closely associated with India-Pakistan diplomatic engagement.

REGIONAL TENSIONS IN THE BACKDROP

The statements come at a time when Pakistan is also facing friction on its western front. Afghan authorities have accused Pakistani forces of carrying out airstrikes in areas including Kabul, Kandahar and Paktika, with Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid alleging civilian sites were hit.

Though independent confirmation remains limited, reports have pointed to casualties and damage, adding to an already volatile regional security environment.

There has been no official response from India to Asif’s latest remarks so far, but the comments have triggered widespread discussion, as rhetoric from both sides continues to harden.

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