PM’s aide says Pakistan acted ‘decisively’; Recent terror surge termed war declaration by Taliban; Nation backs forces
A file photo of a check post on Pakistan-Afghanistan border. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
Security forces responded immediately to stop unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban along the international border on Tuesday amid intense friction between the two countries, according to the prime minister’s spokesperson.
“The Afghan Taliban regime initiated unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border in Torkham and Tirah sub-sectors. Pakistan’s security forces responded immediately and effectively, silencing the Taliban aggression,” said Mosharraf Zaidi, who is Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson for foreign media.
He warned that any further provocation would be responded to “immediately and severely”, adding that Pakistan would continue to protect its citizens and guard its territorial integrity.
Analysts view the recent incidents of terrorism originating from Afghanistan — including the attack on a Federal Constabulary convoy in Karak district, the burning of constabulary personnel, the martyrdom of DSP Asad Mehmood in Shakardara (Kohat), and the suicide attack in Bhakkar — as an open war by Afghanistan against the state of Pakistan.
According to them, these suicide attacks during Ramazan reflect that these terrorists have no connection with Islam or Pashtun traditions. For them, innocent human lives hold no value in pursuit of their malicious and self-styled ideology, they added.
Instead of responding to Pakistan’s consistent demand to stop the patronage of “Fitna al-Khawarij”, the Afghan Taliban regime’s blatant aggression against Pakistan is equivalent to challenging Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan will respond to this declared war by the Afghan Taliban regime with full national resolve and unity. Pakistan’s security forces, backed by complete public support, are determined and united in eliminating all elements that threaten national security.
This war against the state of Pakistan and its people demands that we rise above political affiliations and confront this terrorism, which is being supported by Afghanistan and India.
National security, dignity, and the protection of life and property must take precedence over political and personal interests. Eliminating these enemies of humanity and Islam (Khawarij) should be our foremost priority.
Our security forces and law enforcement agencies are laying down their lives in defense of the country’s internal and external frontiers. Behind these sacrifices lies the unwavering love and unity of the Pakistani nation.
These handful of terrorists, dancing to the tune of foreign masters, will be decisively defeated by the Pakistani nation and its security institutions through unity, national honor, and traditional resolve.
Moreover, the federal government has been consistently raising its voice on international forums against terrorist sanctuaries operating in Afghanistan and using its soil to launch attacks on Pakistan.
Following a series of suicide bombings, Pakistan carried out intelligence-based strikes on seven terrorist camps along the Afghan border early on Sunday morning.
In 2023, a UN report also revealed that the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had established a new base in K-P in mid-2023. The report shed light on close ties not only between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban but also with anti-Pakistani groups and al Qaeda.
The report further revealed that some Taliban members had also joined the TTP, perceiving it as a religious obligation to provide support.
Interlocutors reported that TTP members and their families received regular aid packages from the Taliban.
Importantly, the UN report noted a significant increase in Afghan nationals in the TTP ranks. This supported Pakistan’s stance that a growing number of Afghan nationals were involved in suicide attacks in the country.
More recently, a UNSC report said that attacks on Pakistan by the TTP from Afghanistan have increased, endorsing Islamabad’s long-running complaints about militant sanctuaries across the border. The 37th report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, dated February 4, not only endorsed Islamabad’s stance that Afghanistan had become a sanctuary for militants who used its territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, but also came at a time when the country is facing a renewed spate of violence.
