Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Asif Ghafoor has warned India against war. “We are prepared. If India declares war, we will surprise it,” he said while talking to reporters on the last day of his service as army’s mouthpiece. Rubbishing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks about defeating Pakistan in 7-10 days, the ISPR DG said: “I want to tell India the Pakistan Army will always surprise it.”

Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said he considers it "an honour if Indians are happy" on his exit from the role. If India starts war, Pakistan will end it, Maj-Gen Ghafoor said, and asked how an army could defeat 207 million Pakistanis when it failed to defeat eight million Kashmiris in 71 years. He paid tribute to martyrs, saying Pakistan had fought war against terrorism for two decades. He praised media persons for their role in peace.

Ghafoor recalled the February tension with India and defended the Bajwa Doctrine, saying: “The army chief’s successful military diplomacy helped raise Pakistan’s stature in the world. The Pakistani forces averted the catastrophe with their grit, valour, superior training and bravado.

“A noteworthy retaliatory overture resulted in peace in the region. Pakistani leadership tackled the intricate matter very carefully and COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa’s superior military strategy saved the region from a big disaster.”

Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders have been made more secure and foolproof, he said, adding the Bajwa Doctrine could be described as bringing peace to the region without compromising the national security. He said the ISI, MI and IB have worked together diligently under the army chief to produce very positive results for the country.

He said the Indian government and leadership are once more making "irresponsible statements". "Raddul Fasaad has been the most challenging operation and is a crucial element to secure lasting peace," he said. He also spoke of Gen Bajwa's role in promoting religious harmony and madressah reforms as well as in securing the Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders. He said the nation owes a lot to the country's intelligence agencies. "The ISI is among the most well-recognised intelligence agencies in the world."

He thanked the nation for its support, making a special mention of the "youth on the media". "We all have one oath of loyalty and that is to our nation and to our Kashmiri brethren,” he said.

Maj Gen Ghafoor will be replaced by Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar. He will take charge as General Officer Commanding, Okara.