We respect truce, but aggression will invite severe response, says Pakistan

Pakistan said on Tuesday that it remains committed to the truce with India, agreed after four days of intense fighting last week, but vowed to respond to any future aggression by New Delhi with full resolve.

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The comments from Islamabad came in response to an address to the nation by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, in which he warned Pakistan that New Delhi would target “terrorist hideouts” across the border again if there were new attacks on India, without being deterred by “nuclear blackmail.”

The nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours fired missiles and drones targeting each other's military installations after India said it struck “terrorist infrastructure” sites in Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir on Wednesday in retaliation for an attack on tourists in Kashmir that killed 26 men.

Pakistan said the targets were all civilian and denies Indian accusations that it was behind the Kashmir attack.

Pakistan's military said on Tuesday the dead in the attacks comprised 40 civilians and II of its armed forces. India has said at least five military personnel and |6 civilians died.

It was the worst fighting between the two nations in nearly three decades and they agreed to a ceasefire on Saturday, following diplomacy and pressure from the United States.

The Pakistani foreign ministry said Islamabad categorically rejects the “provocative and inflammatory assertions” made by Modi on Monday.

“At a time when international efforts are being made for regional peace and stability, this statement represents a dangerous escalation,” it said in a statement.