Martyr Saurabh Kalia’s father & Brig Khushal Thakur say remarks only show India’s military dominance
Munish Sood
MANDI: Pakistan’s Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is facing strong backlash from India after delivering what critics describe as a “reckless and self-defeating speech” in Florida.
Speaking at a special dinner hosted by Tampa-based businessman and honorary consul Adnan Asad, Asim Munir compared India to a “shining Mercedes” and Pakistan to a “dump truck” — while simultaneously threatening nuclear war, boasting of mineral wealth and vowing to destroy Indian dams.
The comments have drawn global attention, with many pointing out that even in his own analogy, Asim Munir made Pakistan look inferior. In India, the remarks have been met with sharp condemnation from the families of Kargil War heroes and veterans who fought against Pakistan’s forces in 1999.
Not threat, but emotional outburst, says Capt Vikram Batra’s father
GL Batra, father of Param Vir Chakra awardee martyr Capt Vikram Batra, linked Asim Munir’s remarks to Pakistan’s inability to come to terms with recent military setbacks in Operation Sindoor, an Indian action that demonstrated Islamabad’s vulnerabilities.
“These statements are the result of their humiliating defeat. Pakistan has learnt nothing, even after Operation Sindoor. Instead, they promoted Asim Munir to Field Marshal, which has only inflated his arrogance. His thinking is irrational and the real power behind him is the US,” said GL Batra. He accused the US of “speaking through” Munir.
“This is not Munir’s voice but that of the US, backed by people like its President Donald Trump. When someone cannot handle the power they have seized, they behave in this erratic way. These are not threats but emotional outbursts that make no difference to India. Pakistan knows its limits and even its own citizens are mocking him for such statements,” he added.
Pakistan’s nature will never change, says Capt Saurabh Kalia’s father
NK Kalia, father of Kargil martyr Captain Saurabh Kalia, said Pakistan’s behaviour has been consistent for 75 years.
“Pakistan’s nature will never change. In the past seven decades, India has given them countless chances to change, but every time, they have betrayed us,” Kalia said.
Drawing a parallel with former Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf, he said: “This is nothing new. Musharraf also allowed the US to use Pakistan for its own purposes. Pakistan has a long history of bowing to bigger powers, begging for help and then following whatever misguided path they are told to take.
Munir was called by Trump to be used against India, and he thinks this makes him powerful. But mark my words — if Pakistan dares to act again, there will be another Operation Sindoor. Pakistan is a lightweight nation that cannot handle even a small stockpile of weapons without losing control. They have never learnt from history, and they never will.”
Munir has embarrassed his country: Brigadier Khushal Thakur
Kargil War hero Brigadier Khushal Thakur said Munir’s remarks only served to highlight India’s military dominance.
“We must thank him for openly admitting India’s superior military standing. India ranks 4th in the world, with highly capable forces, while Pakistan, with its limited resources, is 12th and heavily dependent on external support,” Thakur said.
Citing Operation Sindoor as an example, Thakur said: “Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s military capability, national resolve and political will. If Pakistan attempts any hostile act again, we are prepared to respond with an even more intense and decisive action. India will not be intimidated by nuclear blackmail. Munir has turned himself into a laughing stock and has embarrassed his country, showing once again that Pakistan has fallen back into America’s lap.”
