Pakistan's Defense Minister threatens attack on Kolkata

Pakistan has warned of a 'strong response' against India. If necessary, Kolkata in West Bengal may also be targeted, the country's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said.

According to a report by the Times of India, he made these comments while talking to reporters in his hometown of Sialkot on Saturday (April 4).

Khawaja Asif said that if India tries to carry out any 'false flag' operation, Islamabad will give a strong response and the response may reach Kolkata.

Speaking in Sialkot, a city about 130 kilometers from Lahore, he also claimed that such an operation could be staged using local people or Pakistanis in Indian custody. However, he did not present any evidence to support this claim.

Earlier on Thursday, he had hinted at a similar tough stance, saying that Pakistan's response to any attack would be 'swift, well-planned and decisive'.

According to analysts, such recent statements could further increase the ongoing tension between the two countries.