Pakistani Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that the Pakistani forces are fully prepared to give a befitting reply to any 'misadventure' from India.
Speaking during a briefing of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence at the General Headquarters, Kayani said there is no possibility regarding the Pakistani military being caught unawares by India.
"India's cold start doctrine based on hegemonic designs has not been taken lightly and the armed forces are capable of responding to the challenge and safeguarding the country's geographical frontiers," The Dawn quoted Kayani, as saying.
Kayani's statement came less than 48 hours before the much-awaited foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan.
Sources privy to the briefing said Kayani stressed that "Pakistan's long-term national interests would never be sacrificed on someone else's short-term interests".
Sources said that some of the committee members expressed their concern over Pakistan's support to the US-led 'war on terror'.
Jamaat-e-Islami leader Khursheed Ahmed said that time had come for Islamabad to review its policy on cooperating with Washington in the war against militants.
Image: Pakistani army chief General Kayani