Pakistan signals de-escalation, says will 'wrap up tensions' if India backs down

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, on May 7, stated that the country is ready to "wrap up" tensions with India, if New Delhi de-escalates the situation. "If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up this tension," he said. 

His remarks came hours after India carried out a military strike on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Asif was reported as saying by Bloomberg Television that Pakistan will only respond if attacked.

"We have been saying all along in the last fortnight that we'll never initiate anything hostile towards India. But if we're attacked, we'll respond. If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up this tension," he said.

Regarding the possibility of talks, the minister said he was not aware of any such potential engagements.

Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.