Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has once again sparked tension with his latest remarks, saying that the country is fully prepared for a two-front war with India and Afghanistan.

His statement came soon after a deadly car blast in New Delhi that killed at least 13 people. Security forces said the attack was carried out by a terrorist linked to the Pakistan-based group Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Speaking to a media channel, Asif said, "We are ready; we are prepared to face both the eastern (India) and western (Afghanistan) borders. Allah helped us in round one, and He will help us in round two."

He added, "If they want the final round, we have no option but war."

His comments followed a bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people, for which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blamed groups he alleged were "supported by India." The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan later claimed responsibility for the attack.

Earlier, speaking to Geo News, Asif had warned Kabul of "war" after the recent terrorist incidents in Islamabad. He accused the Afghan Taliban regime of sheltering militants responsible for attacks in Pakistan and said Islamabad was "compelled" to consider strikes on Afghan soil.

He also claimed there was no single united government in Kabul and said the Taliban administration consisted of multiple factions with different loyalties.

"Some are linked with India, and some have their strings being pulled from elsewhere, so both of these incidents, I think, are a prelude to a coming aggression that could happen from the Afghan side; actually, it will be Indian aggression that is being waged in our country through the route of Afghanistan," he said.

Asif warned both India and Afghanistan against any aggression, saying Pakistan would "pay back in the same coin."

"Pakistan will never initiate any military adventure; however, we will not let any act of aggression go unanswered; we will respond forcefully," he said.

In earlier interviews, Asif had also claimed, without offering evidence, that Kabul was fighting "India's proxy war" along the Durand Line.