The Taliban’s Defense Ministry responded sharply to comments by Pakistan’s defense minister threatening cross-border strikes in Afghanistan.
In a statement released today, June 28, the Ministry urged Pakistan’s leadership to prevent individuals from commenting on sensitive issues.
د افغانستان د ملي حاکميت د نقض د احتمال په تړاو د پاکستان د دفاع وزیر وروستۍ څرګندونې یو ناسنجیده عمل او د اوبو خړولو هڅه ده چې د هېچا په ګټه نه ده.
— د ملي دفاع وزارت – وزارت دفاع ملی (@MoDAfghanistan2) June 28, 2024
د پاکستان رهبرۍ ته په کار ده، هېچاته اجازه ور نه کړي چې په د حساسو موضوعاتو کې داسې حساسيت پاروونکې څرگندونې وکړي. pic.twitter.com/ry7WrXGXBU
“Whoever invades our territory under any pretext or title will bear the responsibility for the consequences,” the statement reads.
The Afghan Ministry of Defense described Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif’s remarks as “unwise and an attempt to muddy the waters.” They asserted their commitment to preventing Afghan soil from being used against any country.
Khwaja Asif Remarks regarding Striking Pakistan Taliban hideouts inside Afghanistan
In an interview with the Voice of America (VOA) on June 27, Asif accused the ( Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan ) IEA of supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and warned of a new Pakistani military operation, “Azm-e-Istehkam,” targeting TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s military has conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan’s border regions previously. In March, Pakistan launched cross-border airstrikes in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika and Khost provinces, claiming it targeted and killed terrorists affiliated with TTP.
However, the Current Afghan regime have consistently denied permitting any group to use Afghan soil against other nations and accused Pakistani authorities of failing to secure their own country and of unfairly blaming the Taliban for these shortcomings.
