Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that Pakistan will not hesitate to conduct air operations inside Afghanistan if security threats originating from Afghan soil continue.
Speaking in a recent interview with a foreign news agency, he warned that Islamabad would take decisive action until clear guarantees of peace are provided by Kabul.
Khawja Asif said that the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Pakistan is the result of a proxy war, which he alleged is being carried out with the collusion of the Taliban administration in Kabul and India.
He stressed that Pakistan’s patience is wearing thin and that national security will be defended at all costs.
The defence minister accused the Afghan Taliban government of supporting the banned militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, stating that its fighters continue to operate from Afghan territory.
According to him, militant attacks by the group last year led to armed clashes between Pakistani forces and Afghan Taliban fighters along the border.
He further revealed that a ceasefire between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government was achieved through mediation efforts by Qatar and Turkey, but warned that the situation remains fragile.
Khawaja Asif claimed that New Delhi and Kabul appear to be “on the same page” when it comes to attacks targeting Pakistan.
During the interview, the defence minister also said that the possibility of war with India cannot be ruled out, given the evolving regional security environment.
He reiterated that while Pakistan seeks peace and stability in the region, it will not compromise on its sovereignty or security under any circumstances.