Former Pakistani Official Warns of Expanded Attacks Inside Afghanistan
Asif Durani, a former Pakistani envoy to Afghanistan, has stated that recent airstrikes targeting the hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS were a calculated and clear message to the Taliban administration. He warned that if Islamabad is compelled, the scope of these attacks could extend to more areas within Afghanistan.
On Sunday, February 21, Durani said the airstrikes conducted the previous night should have sent a message to the Taliban administration to act “responsibly” regarding the activities of armed groups on Afghan soil. According to him, the continued presence and operations of these groups in border regions are unacceptable to Pakistan.
These remarks come amid rising security tensions between the two sides in recent months. Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that some anti-Islamabad groups are using Afghan territory against Pakistan—an accusation the Taliban administration has consistently denied.
However, critics argue that the Taliban have so far failed to address neighboring countries’ concerns over the containment of militant groups. The persistence of this situation could increasingly expose Afghanistan to regional security and political pressures.
