Pakistan

Afghanistan warns Pakistan of 'consequences' of cross-border attacks

Interim defense ministry flays Khawaja Asif’s remarks of targeting TTP sanctuaries on Afghan soil

Anadolu Agency June 29, 2024

Afghan Taliban's Acting Minister of Defense Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob speaks during the death anniversary of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the late leader and founder of the Taliban, in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 24, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD:

Afghanistan has strongly reacted to Defense Minister Khawaja Asif's recent statement threatening Kabul with sending troops across the border to target militants, warning Islamabad of "consequences."

In a statement, interim Afghan Defense Ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarizmi called Khawaja Asif's statement irresponsible and an attempt to "muddy the waters."

“It's necessary for the leadership of Pakistan not to allow anyone to make such sensitive statement on sensitive issues," Khwarizmi said on X, adding that such remarks will not be in the interest of anyone.

"Anyone who violated our border under any pretext will be responsible for the consequences," he warned.

In a recent interview with Voice of America, the defense minister accused the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of carrying out attacks inside the country, claiming that the terrorist organisation's leadership is hiding in Afghanistan and threatening Islamabad with cross-border strikes to eliminate them.

Also read: Khawaja Asif asserts Pakistan’s right to retaliate against terrorism from Afghanistan

However, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Friday did not defend the defense minister's statement, saying Islamabad respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.

"Pakistan has always said that we respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and in that context, it is critical that Afghanistan takes effective action against those terrorist groups which are responsible for terror incidents and attacks inside Pakistan," Baloch stressed during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad.

"We have also urged Afghanistan to ensure that any terror hideouts that destabilise the region should be eliminated, and we expect Afghanistan to fulfil the commitments that it has made to the international community and Pakistan specifically," she added.

Islamabad accuses Kabul of providing bases for TTP militants who carry out attacks in Pakistan, a charge that Afghanistan denies.

COMMENTS (2)

Yaqootmir | 4 months ago | Reply The foreign office spokesperson SHOULD HAVE BACKED our DM on this what is this timid responses we see from our country in the last few years . the Taliban are TERRORISTS and so are the TTP SMASH them hard ANYWHERE. Unless this statement by Afghanistan is a show and tell because we have heard reports of TTP being relocated by Afghanistan to western parts of their country Pakistan should monitor progress and keep issuing statements on its progress followed by warning of attacks if progress is slowed down PERIOD.

Dr Ashique Ali Arain | 4 months ago | Reply Yes Afghanistan should stop the militants hiding there to enter Pakistan and Afghanistan should also take back its citizens residing in Pakistan enough is enough Afghanistan should also control the cross border movement and smuggling from there side

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