Pakistan Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif on Monday met his top commanders and said the military was “watchful” towards the security imperatives of the country in the wake of “hostile narrative” by India after terrorists killed 18 Indian soldiers in Kashmir.

The Corps Commanders’ Conference – held in Rawalpindi and chaired by Gen Sharif – reviewed external and internal security situation and operational preparedness of the army, the army said in a statement.

“Taking note of a hostile narrative being propagated by India, COAS (Gen Sharif) said that we are fully cognizant and closely watching the latest happenings in the region and their impact on the security of Pakistan,” the statement said.

“Armed forces of Pakistan are fully prepared to respond to entire spectrum of direct and indirect threat,” he said, expressing his satisfaction over operational preparedness of the army.

The comments were seen as a direct response to Indian Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhaag saying last week that India has to be prepared for “swift, short nature of future wars” because of frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan and its “new methods” used to keep Jammu and Kashmir on the boil.

The Pakistan Army Chief said: “If the enemy ever resorts to any misadventure, regardless of its size and scale – short or long – it will have to pay an unbearable cost.”

Saying that innocent people were “subjected to injustice, atrocities in Kashmir”, General Sharif said: “Enduring peace is not possible without a just resolution of Kashmir. The issue can no longer be put on the backburner.”

The time had come, he said, for Kashmir to be resolved “in line with UN resolutions.”

Gen Sharif ‘s remarks came hours after PM Nawaz Sharif ‘s adviser, Sartaj Aziz, called the Uri strike Delhi’s “blatant attempt” to divert attention from “fast deteriorating humanitarian and rights situation in Kashmir” after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani’s killing.