The retired general said there is no reason for Pakistan to target India as there is no militant group in the country. Mr Hasnain went on to say Pakistan would not be able to withstand a war. He wrote in The Times of India: “The Pakistan military’s ego will largely dictate what it intends to do.
“There is no similar terrorist infrastructure on the Indian side which it can target as a quid pro quo.
“If it chooses to escalate by targeting Indian military families or civilian infrastructure it would be counted as an act of war.
“Pakistan is economically in no position to sustain a warlike situation.
“It is not particularly known for rational thinking when it comes to choice of options.
READ MORE: Seven Indian cities put on ‘HIGHEST’ terror alert
“That is the reason due to which India cannot expect that this one off action is the last we have seen in this escalating standoff.”
Mr Hasnain added India needs to be prepared for higher levels of escalation.
He explained if India targeted Pakistan’s Army, it would lose the support of the international community.
Whereas, the decision to target terrorist facilities suits Indian strategy.
The damage of the airstrike at a training camp in Balakot is not yet known.
Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale claimed a “large number” of militants were killed during these strikes.
But Pakistan disputes the claim, saying none were killed.
The bomb attacks were carried out in response to a suicide bombing in Indian-controlled Kashmir which killed at least 40 paramilitary soldiers.
However, Pakistan has claimed the militant camps do not exist.