VANCOUVER, CANADA – 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.
“Whoever invades our territory under any pretext or title will bear the responsibility for the consequences,” the statement reads.
The Taliban 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.
In an interview with the Voice of America (VOA) on June 27, Asif accused the Taliban of supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and warned of a new Pakistani military operation, “Zarb-e-Azb,” 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 Taliban 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.
