Pakistan Defense Minister Signals Possible Strikes on Targets in Afghanistan Before Ramadan
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has announced the possibility of striking targets inside Afghanistan before the month of Ramadan. Speaking in a television interview, he claimed that the so-called “terrorists” have safe havens within Afghan territory and that Islamabad is currently evaluating its options.
Without providing further details on the timing or manner of this potential action, the Pakistani official emphasized that threats to Pakistan’s security are being organized from inside Afghanistan. Pakistani authorities have previously accused the Taliban administration of enabling the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate in certain parts of Afghanistan.
Khawaja Asif also alleged that the Taliban may understand not only “the language of force” but also “the language of money.” He stated that Islamabad had been asked in the past to pay money in exchange for transferring TTP members to western Afghanistan — a claim that has yet to elicit any official response from the Taliban leadership.
The Taliban administration has consistently denied the presence and activity of anti-Pakistan armed groups on Afghan soil, asserting that it will not permit its territory to be used against other countries. However, ongoing attacks in Pakistan and rising verbal tensions between the two sides have fueled concerns about escalating cross-border conflict.
Regional experts warn that any unilateral military action could complicate the security situation along the border areas and directly affect the lives of people on both sides of the Durand Line. Under these circumstances, it is expected that the Taliban administration will provide a clear response to these accusations and clarify its responsibility in preventing the activities of armed groups within Afghanistan.
