ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned on Monday thatIslamabad may take action inside Afghanistan after a string of recentattacks, saying the country has been “compelled” to respond and thatevidence of Afghan and Indian involvement will be presented to thirdparties. He also rejected the idea that the Afghan Taliban are sincereabout peace.
“As a result of the terrorism in Islamabad and Wana, we are compelled togive this a reply. Pakistan can now act inside Afghanistan,” Asif said,according to his remarks to reporters, adding that Islamabad would handproof of outside interference to mediators. He warned that it would be“foolish” to assume the Afghan Taliban are genuinely committed to peace.
The statements come after deadly incidents that heightened tensions alongthe Pakistan–Afghanistan frontier. A suicide bombing outside an Islamabadcourt and an attempted militant attack in Wana in South Waziristan haverenewed security fears and prompted senior officials to point fingersacross the border. International outlets and Pakistani authorities havereported the strikes and the subsequent political fallout.
Pakistan’s leadership has repeatedly blamed militant groups operating fromAfghan soil for attacks inside Pakistan — an accusation Kabul’s authoritieshave denied or contested in the past. Asif urged regional and internationalinterlocutors to press the Afghan authorities to curb militant movement; healso suggested that sanctions or penalties might be needed if Kabul doesnot act.
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The warnings risk escalating an already fragile situation: in recent weeksboth countries have accused the other of cross-border provocations and aceasefire brokered earlier has done little to erase deep mutual distrust.Diplomats and analysts warn that retaliation inside Afghan territory wouldmark a major shift in Islamabad’s approach and could draw regional actorsinto renewed diplomatic or security efforts to prevent wider conflict.
Government spokespeople said Islamabad will pursue both diplomatic channels— including sharing any evidence with third-party mediators — and keep allmilitary options on the table, while calling for international pressure onKabul to act against militant safe havens. For now, Pakistani officialssay, the priority is to secure the country and hold those responsible toaccount.
