Pakistan Vows Firm Response to Security Threats Originating from Afghan Territory
Pakistan’s Information Minister has declared that the country will respond decisively if security threats emanating from Afghan soil persist. Ataullah Tarar defended the recent military operations conducted by the Pakistani army inside Afghanistan, stating that these strikes were targeted and carried out based on precise intelligence.
In an interview with Geo News, Tarar denied the killing of civilians in these attacks and dismissed the Taliban administration’s claim of 13 civilian casualties as “propaganda.” According to Tarar, the operations targeted only the centers, hideouts, and operational bases of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), inflicting heavy losses on the group.
The Information Minister added that the locations attacked, besides housing TTP members, were used as planning hubs and ammunition depots for attacks inside Pakistan. He emphasized that Islamabad will release videos and evidence of these operations to prove that civilian targets were not hit.
Tarar also spoke about Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, stating that in recent years delegations have been sent to Afghanistan, Doha, and Turkey, and talks have been held in China, Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. However, according to him, these efforts have failed to prevent the use of Afghan territory against Pakistan.
These remarks come as Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban administration, accused Pakistan of violating Afghan airspace and targeting residential areas in Khost, Paktika, and Kunar provinces. Previously, the United Nations had also confirmed civilian deaths in Pakistan’s recent attacks.
Meanwhile, the continued activity of armed groups opposed to Pakistan in some border areas has once again raised questions about the Taliban administration’s responsibility in ensuring security and preventing the use of Afghan soil against neighboring countries, an issue that has so far received no clear or practical response from the administration.
