India, May 10 -- Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif has asserted that students studying in madrassas are the nation's "second line of defence".

The defence minister made the statement while addressing Pakistan's Parliament amid heightening military conflict between India and Pakistan.

"As far as madrassas or madrassa students are concerned, there's no doubt they are our second line of defence. The youngsters who are studying there, when the time comes, will be used as needed 100 per cent."

A video of his statement has gone viral on social media. Follow LIVE updates.

Tensions between the two neighbours have soared significantly after the Indian armed forces conducted precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pak...