'Madrasa Students Will Be Used As...': Pakistan Minister's Remark Amid India-Pak Tensions

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the madrasa students will be used as a 'second line of defence' amid ongoing tension between India and Pakistan.

Pak Defence Minister Khawaja Asif

The defence minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Asif, said on Friday that the madrasa students will be used as a 'second line of defence'. The statement by the minister comes amid ongoing tensions and raises concerns about the potential use of children in conflicts.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister drops the mask:
“Madrassa students are our second line of defence and can be used for any purpose."

Let that sink in. A nuclear state openly admits grooming children for war.pic.twitter.com/PK7pAog01O

— Riccha Dwivedi (@RicchaDwivedi) May 9, 2025

India said on Friday that Pakistan launched between 300 and 400 drones across 36 locations from Leh to Sir Creek in a coordinated attempt to target the military installations. Speaking at a press briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said that the armed forces shot down many of these drones using both kinetic and non-kinetic means. One armed unmanned aerial vehicle was sent to strike the Bhatinda military station, but the attempt was foiled, she said.

Singh further added that India deployed armed drones against four Pakistani air defence sites in retaliation successfully destroying one radar system.

Centre has confirmed that Pakistani drones and missiles violated the Indian airspace during the intervening night of May 8 and 9. India activated its air defence in response including S-400 Triumph systems, Barak-8 and Akash missiles, and DRDO’s anti-drone technologies, to neutralise the threats.

Addressing the press today, Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, said hat during the shelling across the LoC on May 7, a shell fired from Pakistan hit the home of two children, who lost their lives, while their parents sustained injuries. The Foreign Secretary accused Pakistan of targeting and shelling places of worship.