2024-07-05 12:05:25
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had talked about military action against Pakistani Taliban (TTP) bases inside Afghanistan, on which the Taliban government of Kabul had warned. The Pakistani Defense Minister has once again reiterated the talk of action in Afghanistan. Khawaja Asif said in a recent interview to the BBC that Pakistan will continue attacks inside Afghanistan as part of a military operation launched to combat terrorism. Khawaja Asif said that these attacks are being carried out against those extremist groups present on Afghan soil, who target security forces and civilians inside Pakistan. In March this year, senior Pakistani officials admitted to carrying out air strikes inside Afghanistan. The Taliban called these attacks a violation of sovereignty.
Pakistan adamant on military action
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has once again said that these attacks on Afghanistan will continue. In an interview to BBC Urdu, the Pakistani Defence Minister said that ‘It is true that we are conducting operations inside Afghanistan and we will continue to do so. We will not feed them cakes and pastries. If we are attacked, we will retaliate.’ Earlier, while speaking in the Parliament of Pakistan last week, Asif had hinted at military action inside Afghanistan. The Defence Ministry of the Taliban government of Kabul reacted sharply to Asif’s statement, calling it an unwise step and said that it would only worsen the situation.
He also said that Pakistan does not inform the Taliban government of Afghanistan about these attacks. He said, ‘This will eliminate the surprise. Should we tell them, get ready, we are coming?’ The Taliban has called these statements irresponsible. Along with this, it has threatened that there will be serious consequences for carrying out cross-border attacks.
Relations started deteriorating with the return of Taliban
Relations between Pakistan and Kabul started deteriorating since 2021, when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. Pakistan alleges that a faction of the Taliban patronizes the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP). TTP has the biggest role in attacks on security forces in Pakistan. Asif said that the Afghan Taliban has shown reluctance in taking action against the TTP, while we had requested them not to allow them to use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan.
Pakistan’s new military operation
Pakistan has recently announced a new military operation against terrorism. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced the launch of Operation Arz-e-Istehkam in a meeting of the apex committee of the National Action Committee. Under this operation, it was said that an armed operation would be launched against extremists within the country. Later, statements by Pakistani government leaders made it clear that this operation would not only take place in Pakistan but also inside Afghanistan across the border.