Even as he asserted that neither country could afford a full-scale war, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday warned that Pakistan would not hesitate to use its nuclear arsenal if it felt it was losing out against India in a conventional war.
Pointing out that both India and Pakistan were nuclear powers, Capt Amarinder said that it was not in either country’s interest to use the weapons of destruction but Islamabad could indulge in such a misadventure if faced with defeat in other battles.
“The Indian Air Force (IAF) air strikes has proved India’s resolve to deal with the problem in the wake of Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy,” said the Chief Minister in an informal chat with media persons.
He, however, refused to comment on the number of terrorists killed in the strikes, saying, “whether it was one killed or 100, the message had gone out loud and clear – that India will not let the killing of its innocent soldiers and citizens go unpunished”.
Pointed out that Pakistan was in a huge economic mess and had been going around with a begging bowl and surviving on doles from other Islamic nations, Capt Amarinder said that they could ill-afford a full-fledged war with India. “And though both are nuke powered countries, Pakistan could act out of desperation to use its nuclear weapons if they found themselves cornered,” he warned.