Speaking on a private TV programme, he said that following India’s setbacks in the May clashes, the country is now using Afghanistan as a proxy to create security threats inside Pakistan.

“As long as India exists as a threat, the proxy war never truly ended,” Khawaja Asif said.

“They are attempting to trouble us via Afghanistan after suffering losses on the battlefield.”

Highlighting Pakistan’s defensive successes, he added that the United States recognised Pakistan’s achievements and intervened to prevent further escalation.

In May, the Pakistan Air Force shot down seven Indian aircraft, including Rafales, and destroyed an S-400 defence system.

He emphasised that Pakistan remains cautious in handling regional developments, taking into account the influence of friendly nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and China.

 “We want to give every chance to peace efforts, but we are prepared for all eventualities,” he said.

The defence minister reiterated that the four-day conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours was triggered by India’s missile strikes inside Pakistan, which led to the martyrdom of several civilians.

Despite these defensive measures, Khawaja Asif said the danger of conflict remains a serious concern for Pakistan’s security establishment, with India’s continued proxy efforts through Afghanistan posing an ongoing challenge.