India, Aug. 14 -- India on Thursday hit out at Pakistan's leadership over a spate of hostile statements, warning that any "misadventure" would have painful consequences. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the comments as part of a "well-known modus operandi" by Islamabad to stoke anti-India rhetoric and distract from its own failures.

"We have seen reports regarding a continuing pattern of reckless, war-mongering and hateful comments from Pakistani leadership against India. Pakistan would be well-advised to temper its rhetoric as any misadventure will have painful consequences, as was demonstrated recently," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press conference on Thursday.

The sharp reaction came after Pakistan ...