Pakistan conducts ‘anti-terror operations’ in border areas amid rising tensions with Afghanistan

Pakistan has initiated anti-terror operations in its border regions to address threats posed by terrorist groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to a statement by the Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday. The move comes amid escalating tensions with Afghanistan over cross-border terrorism and recent allegations of airstrikes on Afghan territory.

FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the security of its people during a press briefing in Islamabad. She stated, “Our security and law enforcement personnel conduct operations in the border areas to protect the people of Pakistan from terror groups, including TTP.” The spokesperson emphasized that these operations are intelligence-driven and carefully planned to neutralize specific threats.

The FO’s remarks follow allegations from the Taliban administration accusing Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province on Tuesday night. According to Afghan officials, Pakistani fighter jets targeted four locations purportedly used as terrorist camps. Pakistani security officials have confirmed these operations, noting that they were aimed at eliminating specific terrorist threats.

Despite confirming the airstrikes, Pakistan reiterated its respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty. “These operations are based on authentic and concrete intelligence. We respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty and hope to work collaboratively to address the shared threat of terrorism,” Baloch added.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained by frequent border clashes and Islamabad’s repeated calls for Kabul to act against the banned Fitna Al Khawarij, which Pakistan accuses of using Afghan territory to launch attacks. The Afghan government has consistently denied these allegations.

Pakistan has urged Afghanistan to take decisive action to prevent terrorist groups from operating along the shared border. “We believe that terrorist groups like TTP pose a collective threat to regional peace and security. It is essential for both countries to cooperate in combating these threats,” Baloch stated.

Despite the heightened tensions, Pakistan has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue and strengthen cooperation with Afghanistan to address shared security concerns. The FO spokesperson highlighted the importance of joint efforts in combating terrorism, saying, “We have always prioritized dialogue and cooperation with Afghanistan to confront the terror threat.”

Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.



Pakistan Times
Logo