In a provocative speech delivered at a banquet hosted by the Pakistani embassy in the United States, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir singled out Reliance Industries Ltd’s Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, India, as a potential target in any future military conflict with New Delhi. The refinery, the world’s largest single-site refining complex, was highlighted by Munir as a critical economic asset, signaling Pakistan’s intent to strike at India’s economic infrastructure, according to posts on X.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, following India’s Operation Sindoor, a series of precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These actions were in retaliation for a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. Munir’s speech framed India’s military actions as the initial escalation, attempting to counter New Delhi’s narrative that the Pahalgam attack, attributed to Pakistan, was the catalyst for the conflict.
Munir’s comments were made during a visit to the US, where he has been engaging with American officials, including a notable lunch with former US President Donald Trump at the White House in June.This visit, which also included discussions on counterterrorism and trade, has stirred controversy in India, with critics viewing it as a diplomatic setback. The Pakistani army chief’s rhetoric has further strained relations, particularly after India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23, prompting Pakistan to ban Indian aircraft from its airspace, a move that cost Pakistan’s aviation authority over Rs 1,240 crore.
The targeting of the Jamnagar refinery, a cornerstone of Reliance Industries’ profitability, underscores the escalating economic and military dimensions of the India-Pakistan rivalry. Munir’s statements, delivered on US soil, have sparked concerns about the potential for further destabilization in the region, with both nations on high alert following recent military exchanges.
Pakistan’s Army Chief Signals Intent to Target India’s Economic Assets
