Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reiterated that the Afghan Taliban regime continues to support the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, cautioning against placing faith in the interim rulers’ inconsistent statements regarding the cessation of cross-border terrorism.
During an interview on a prominent news program, Asif was asked about a report claiming Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had instructed the TTP to halt attacks inside Pakistan. The minister dismissed this as media speculation, emphasizing that the situation on the ground remains unchanged and the Taliban’s backing of TTP terrorists persists.
He urged the Taliban leadership to unequivocally end their support for the militants, stating that any withdrawal of support should be clearly and directly communicated by the Taliban themselves. Highlighting the contradictory messages coming from the Afghan interim government, Asif warned that trusting these mixed signals on terrorism would be highly dangerous, as no tangible change has been observed.
In February this year, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq following a ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025. The ceasefire had been disrupted by unprovoked gunfire from the Afghan Taliban at several border points. Despite multiple rounds of dialogue, the two countries have yet to reach a lasting agreement, largely due to the Taliban’s reluctance to act against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
Separately, Asif responded sharply to comments made by India’s army chief. He stated that India continues to grapple with the aftermath of its defeat in the May conflict last year and warned New Delhi against any future military provocations. Referring to the Indian army chief’s remarks about the ongoing readiness of Operation Sindoor and the possibility of a renewed offensive, Asif asserted Pakistan’s preparedness to counter any aggression.
He accused India of waging a proxy war against Pakistan through Afghanistan and reaffirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces are ready to respond decisively. “The Pakistan Army will deliver an even stronger defeat to India than before,” he declared. “If India chooses to attempt aggression again, it will receive a firm response.”
In reaction to Indian hostilities, Pakistan launched a large-scale retaliatory campaign named Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, targeting multiple Indian military sites. During the conflict, Pakistan downed eight Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, along with numerous drones. The hostilities, which lasted at least 87 hours, concluded on May 10 with a US-brokered ceasefire agreement between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
