Indian threats risk dragging two nuclear-armed neighbors toward another conflict

Kamran Khan said that India’s military and political leadership has adopted a tone of “war frenzy” despite what he described as India’s defeat in recent hostilities, and warned that inflammatory statements from New Delhi risk dragging the two nuclear-armed rivals back toward large-scale conflict.

Khan recounted a series of statements by top Indian officials — including Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh — and said their comments showed “not only bitterness but a warlike mania” that could prompt a false-flag operation with unpredictable consequences.

India’s army chief, speaking at a military gathering in Rajasthan, warned Pakistan it could be forced to “decide whether it wants to remain on the world map,” Khan said. Indian media have widely reported similar warnings from Gen. Dwivedi.

Indian defense minister told troops that any Pakistani misadventure in the Sir Creek area would “change both history and geography,” remarks reported by multiple Indian outlets. Analysts say the references to geography and history signal a harsher rhetorical posture.

Khan said the Indian air chief recently claimed Operation Sindoor saw the downing of 12 or 13 Pakistani fighter jets — a tally that has not been independently confirmed in public sources and which Indian analysts have questioned, Khan added. He contrasted those claims with Pakistan’s assertion that it shot down seven Indian fighters and a drone, a tally Islamabad says manufacturers have verified.

Pakistan military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, issued a sharp rebuttal to what it called “delusional, provocative and jingoistic statements” from Indian leaders and warned that any attempt to “erase Pakistan from the map” would be met by mutually destructive consequences.

The ISPR said Pakistan had established “a new normal of response” and warned it would target remote parts of Indian territory if necessary.

Security analysts say the recent escalation in rhetoric raises the risk of miscalculation between neighboring nuclear powers, particularly around sensitive border flashpoints such as Sir Creek. Khan urged Indian leaders to choose the path of restraint and diplomacy, warning that repeating the mistakes of the past would benefit no one.

Khan reminded viewers that the Pakistan of 1971 no longer exists, arguing Islamabad's defensive, strategic and diplomatic positions have changed since that conflict. He said New Delhi must decide whether to pursue peace or fuel a war that would harm both sides. Analysts quoted by regional newspapers echoed his concerns and urged de-escalation.