Pakistan has leveled accusations against India, alleging that New Delhi is utilizing Afghan territory to orchestrate terror attacks within Pakistan. This claim was made by the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, during a press conference in Peshawar. He detailed Pakistan’s escalating security concerns, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) region.
These statements emerged on the same day that Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, engaged in discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. This marked the first significant diplomatic exchange between India and the Taliban administration since their rise to power in 2021.
General Chaudhry asserted that “Indian proxies” are operating from Afghanistan to target Pakistan, and that Islamabad has provided Kabul with evidence of these activities. News18 quoted Chaudhry as stating, “Pakistan has strong evidence of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) terror activities from Afghanistan. The Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KP) government must protect its citizens instead of begging Afghanistan for security. Indian proxies are working in Afghanistan and using Afghan soil for terrorism.”
India has consistently refuted Pakistan’s accusations, labeling them as unfounded. The TTP, which aims to overthrow the Pakistani government and establish an Islamic-led system, maintains close ties with the Afghan Taliban.
Chaudhry further commented, “The TTP has the support of the Afghan Taliban, and non-state actors are fuelling terrorism in Pakistan. No politician or politics is above the state. If someone thinks he/she is above, then it will not be acceptable. No more status quo — facilitators of terrorists will not be spared. The failure to enforce the National Action Plan is enabling a surge in terrorism.”
Meanwhile, during his meeting with S Jaishankar, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister reiterated that Afghanistan’s soil would not be permitted for use in attacks against other nations. Muttaqi’s comments, made during a press conference with Indian journalists, were intended to bolster the Taliban’s bid for international recognition and to address India’s ongoing concerns about terrorism originating from Afghan territory. He explicitly denied the presence of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba members in Afghanistan, stating, “not even one is present.”
The Taliban administration has also accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes on its territory, warning of repercussions. Pakistan has stated its patience with Kabul is dwindling, without confirming or denying involvement in any airstrikes.
Pakistani forces kill 30 militants: Army
In a separate development, Pakistani security forces reportedly killed 30 militants in northwestern Pakistan during intelligence-led operations targeting TTP hideouts. These raids followed an ambush on a security convoy that resulted in the deaths of 11 soldiers earlier in the week. Additionally, a police facility in Dera Ismail Khan was attacked by militants, with multiple explosions reported.
The operations were conducted in the Orakzai district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the same region where the military convoy was attacked. The ambush resulted in the loss of 11 soldiers, including two senior officers.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the convoy ambush and other attacks.