Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has sparked fresh controversy with his latest remarks, claiming that Islamabad is “fully prepared” to fight a war on two fronts — against India on the eastern border and against the Taliban along the western frontier.

Speaking at a public event on Wednesday, Asif said, “We are ready for war on two fronts. We are ready, we are prepared to face both the eastern (India) and western border (Afghanistan). Allah helped us in round one and He will help us in round two.”

His comments came shortly after a suicide bombing in Islamabad killed 12 people and injured 36 others. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, which has intensified tensions within the country and along its borders.

Linking the bombing to Afghanistan, Asif alleged that the attack was a “message from the Afghan Taliban”. He said, “The rulers of Kabul can stop terrorism in Pakistan, but bringing this war all the way to Islamabad is a message from Kabul, to which — praise be to God — Pakistan has the full strength to respond.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, meanwhile, accused groups “active with Indian support” of involvement in the blast, though no evidence has been provided to substantiate the claim.

Asif’s statement is seen as an attempt to project strength amid Pakistan’s worsening economic crisis and deteriorating diplomatic ties. Analysts say such rhetoric reflects growing unease within Islamabad over both internal security challenges and regional isolation.

The defence minister also courted criticism earlier this week when he commented on the recent car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, which killed 13 people. Downplaying the incident, Asif claimed it was “merely a gas cylinder explosion” and accused India of “politicising the incident”.

“Until yesterday, it was a gas cylinder blast. Now they are trying to label it a foreign conspiracy. India could soon blame Pakistan for it,” Asif said.

Indian officials dismissed his remarks as “a desperate attempt to deflect attention”. Senior security sources told India Today TV that the Pakistani minister’s tone reflected “Islamabad’s nervousness”, particularly as early forensic reports suggested the Delhi explosion involved a military-grade explosive.

Asif’s latest comments have drawn international attention for their combative tone, with observers warning that such rhetoric risks further straining already fragile regional relations.

#Agencies