ISLAMABAD: Following Pakistan’s recent strikes on banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts inside Afghanistan in response to a terrorist attack on security forces in North Waziristan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Islamabad is not seeking any “armed conflict” with Kabul.
In an interview with Voice of America, Khawaja Asif stated, “Force is the last resort. We do not want to have an armed conflict with Afghanistan.” His remarks come amid heightened tensions between the neighboring nations fueled by increased terrorist activities by TTP and other banned groups based in Afghanistan, targeting Pakistan.
Pakistan on Monday conducted intelligence-based operations (IBOs) against TTP’s Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, responsible for the March 16 attack in Mir Ali, North Waziristan that left at least 8 soldiers including a lieutenant colonel and captain martyred.
Asif urged the Afghan interim government to control TTP activities and prevent them from instigating hostilities with Pakistan while operating from Afghan soil. He warned that Pakistan would retaliate if TTP’s attacks persist.
Regarding bilateral relations and economic cooperation, Asif questioned the rationale for extending trade and economic corridors to Kabul if Afghanistan treats Pakistan as an adversary.
Estimates indicate that 5,000 to 6,000 TTP fighters reside in Afghanistan after being displaced from Pakistani territories due to anti-terror operations. UN assessments also confirm TTP’s presence in Afghanistan.
Asif noted that TTP’s presence in Afghanistan is partly due to the Afghan government’s strategy to prevent its fighters from joining rival groups like IS-Khorasan Province (ISKP), which is in conflict with the Afghan regime.
