Manzoor Pashteen Condemns Pakistani Military Strikes on Afghan Border Regions
Manzoor Pashteen, the leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), has strongly condemned Pakistani military operations in border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan, describing the actions as a form of “blatant terrorism.” In a statement, he said that under the guise of counterterrorism operations, the Pakistani military is committing acts of violence on both sides of the Durand Line.
Pashteen’s remarks followed overnight attacks by Pakistani forces on parts of Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province. Paktika, a border province adjacent to Pakistan’s tribal regions, has seen mounting security tensions since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan.
Pashteen has urged people to raise their voices against what he termed as “oppression and aggression” by the Pakistani military. He stressed that such actions threaten not only the security but also the dignity of the people living on both sides of the disputed Durand Line.
The Durand Line, established during the colonial era by Britain, is not recognized as an official border by Afghanistan and has been a longstanding source of contention between the two countries. Pakistan’s military strikes, especially in the absence of a legitimate government in Kabul, have reignited debates around national sovereignty and the security of border communities.
Civil and political activists have repeatedly warned that the Taliban’s policy of silence and indifference has paved the way for continued incursions. This stance has raised serious concerns among residents of frontier areas, particularly in Paktika province.
