Taliban Warns Pakistan Against Military Operations in Afghanistan
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban administration, has warned that any Pakistani military action on Afghan soil will face a strong response. He said if Pakistani forces enter Afghanistan or conduct operations in the country, the Taliban administration will defend Afghan territory.
In an interview with Al Arabiya, Mujahid said Pakistan should not carry out military operations inside Afghanistan under the pretext of self-defence. The warning comes as tensions between the two sides continue over border insecurity and mutual accusations.
The Taliban spokesman also called on Saudi Arabia to mediate in efforts to reduce differences between Kabul and Islamabad. He said Riyadh could play a role in easing tensions between the two sides.
Mujahid went on to stress the Taliban administration’s desire to expand ties with Saudi Arabia and welcomed the kingdom’s role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction and efforts toward peace and stability. In another part of his remarks, he rejected Pakistan’s accusations that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan operates in Afghanistan.
According to Mujahid, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Baloch groups and other groups that Islamabad is fighting have been active inside Pakistan for years, and problems related to them should not be attributed to Afghanistan. He also claimed that the Taliban administration will not allow Afghan soil to be used against Pakistan.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban administration of sheltering members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and allowing the group to use Afghan territory to plan and carry out attacks, an accusation the Taliban administration denies. Saudi Arabia has previously played a mediating role in tensions between the two sides, and on Feb. 28 last year, three Pakistani soldiers captured in border clashes were released after Riyadh’s mediation.
