Pakistan Defense Minister Warns of Cross-Border Threats from TTP and ISIS in Afghanistan

Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, has stated that if security threats originating from Afghan territory persist, his country does not rule out the option of conducting air strikes. On Wednesday, February 17, in an interview with a French media outlet, he claimed that armed groups active in Afghanistan are involved in cross-border attacks against Pakistan.

Asif alleged that these groups use Afghan soil to organize and carry out operations. He added that some elements in Kabul and New Delhi maintain connections with groups targeting objectives inside Pakistan.

The Pakistani defense minister also claimed the presence of banned groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS, in Afghanistan, stating that these groups continue to pose a threat to regional stability. This comes despite repeated denials from the Taliban administration regarding the use of Afghan soil against other countries, but regional concerns remain ongoing.

In another part of his remarks, Asif referred to the tense relations between Islamabad and New Delhi and warned that the possibility of conflict between the two countries still exists. Pakistan and India, both nuclear-armed, have experienced border and political tensions in recent years, raising concerns about regional stability.