Asia

Pakistani army chief lashes out at India as tensions spike

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party burn the representation of Indian flags during a protest in Peshawar, Pakistan, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016. Officials in Islamabad say Pakistan and India are trying to de-escalate border tensions after their troops exchanged several rounds of gunfire over the last week in the disputed Kashmir region. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad) (The Associated Press)

Indian villagers living near the line of control, which divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan, collect fodder for their cattle in Hamirpur village, 62 kilometers from Jammu, India, Wednesday, Oct.5, 2016. Pakistan and India traded fresh accusations of cross-border fire in Kashmir on Tuesday, a day after top officials discussed ways of de-escalating tensions over the disputed Himalayan region. (AP Photo/Channi Anand) (The Associated Press)

Pakistani protesters burn an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. Pakistan's powerful army chief lashed out at India Thursday, warning that any act of aggression from New Delhi would not go unpunished as tensions spike between the two countries over the divided region of Kashmir. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary) (The Associated Press)

Pakistan's powerful army chief has lashed out at India, warning the neighbor that any act of aggression from New Delhi will not go unpunished as tensions spike between the two countries over the divided region of Kashmir.

Gen. Raheel Sharif says Pakistan's armed forces will react with a "befitting response" to such a move.

In speech on Thursday, he also asked the international community to condemn what he called India's "insinuations and fabrications" about Pakistan, which he said has made "unparalleled contributions in the global fight against terrorism."

His remarks came more than a week after New Delhi claimed it destroyed "terrorist launching pads" used by Pakistan-backed militants. Pakistan said it was routine cross-border fire that killed two Pakistani soldiers.

Kashmir, split between Pakistan and India, is claimed by both.