Overview

• Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Parliament that madrassa students are the nation's 'second line of defence' and would be deployed when needed.
• The statement comes as cross-border tensions with India escalate following Indian precision strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and PoK on May 7.
• Asif's recent claims, including shooting down Indian jets and avoiding drone interceptions, have been widely criticized for lacking evidence and contradicting Pakistan Army statements.
• India dismissed Pakistan's military claims as 'propaganda-heavy and evidence-light,' further straining relations between the two nations.
• The remarks have reignited concerns over Pakistan's use of religious seminaries in strategic and military contexts, drawing both domestic and international scrutiny.