Pakistan warns of possible strikes inside Afghanistan after deadly terror attacks
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has warned that Islamabad may launch cross-border strikes inside Afghanistan following a string of terrorist attacks in the capital and tribal regions, accusing the Afghan Taliban of providing safe havens to militants responsible for the violence.
In just 48 hours, Pakistan was rocked by two major terror incidents — one targeting Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, and another suicide bombing in Islamabad that left at least 12 people dead and over 30 injured.
Speaking during a live interview on Geo News’ programme on Tuesday night, Asif said that retaliatory action inside Afghan territory could not be ruled out. “If the attacks continue, Pakistan reserves the right to respond decisively,” he stated.
The defence minister dismissed Kabul’s condemnation of the attacks as hollow, accusing the Taliban government of harbouring the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant factions involved in cross-border assaults. “Their words do not match their actions. Those sheltered by the Afghan Taliban are repeatedly attacking us,” he said.
Asif warned that both Afghanistan and India should avoid “any misadventure” against Pakistan, stressing that “any act of aggression will be met with a matching response.”
While insisting that Pakistan does not seek confrontation, Asif asserted that the country would defend its sovereignty at all costs. “Pakistan will never initiate any military adventure. But if provoked, we will respond in the same coin — firmly and proportionately,” he said.
He also underscored that the Islamabad attack was a grim reminder that terrorism is not confined to border areas. “We are in a state of war,” Asif wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Anyone who believes that our fight is limited to Afghanistan’s border regions or Balochistan must treat this suicide bombing in the capital as a wake-up call.”
The warning marks a sharp escalation in Pakistan’s rhetoric toward Afghanistan, coming amid strained relations between the two neighbours and a fragile ceasefire agreed upon last month after deadly cross-border clashes.
Security analysts in Islamabad note that Pakistan’s patience is wearing thin over the Taliban’s alleged inaction against the TTP, which has intensified attacks targeting military and civilian installations since early 2024.
Observers warn that a potential Pakistani strike inside Afghanistan could further destabilise regional security, complicate ongoing peace efforts mediated by Turkey and Qatar, and trigger retaliatory militant violence across the border.
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