Pakistan vows retaliation against cross-border terrorism in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: In a Senate session, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry outlined the government’s position on recent operations in Afghanistan, emphasizing that Pakistan will no longer merely recover bodies but will deliver a decisive response, avenging every martyr’s blood.

Addressing lawmakers, Chaudhry stated that Pakistan targeted multiple locations across three Afghan provinces as a part of a carefully planned operation. He said repeated warnings had been issued to Afghanistan regarding cross-border incursions.

“Afghanistan harbors terrorist hideouts and training camps. They requested PKR 10 billion to push the Taliban across the border, which we are ready to provide—but only with a guarantee that there will be no interference in Pakistan,” he added.

Chaudhry further detailed that attacks in Pakistan’s Tirlai, Bannu, and Bajaur districts trace back to Afghan territory, highlighting that terrorism in Pakistan now has a nationwide reach. “We are not here just to collect bodies. We know how to respond,” he said.

He underscored that Pakistan seeks peace but will never compromise on national security. The recent airstrikes were intelligence-based, targeting terrorist strongholds, resulting in the elimination of approximately 100 terrorists.

These operations targeted seven locations of the proscribed TTP and Fatah-ul-Khawarij in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces, marking a decisive retaliatory measure following terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil.