ISLAMABAD/KABUL: The Taliban authorities of Afghanistan condemned a “provocative” assertion from the minister of inside indicating Islamabad could have interaction in cross-border motion in opposition to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant group, saying it broken the nice relations between the 2 neighbouring nations.
“The Ministry of Nationwide Protection considers as provocative and baseless latest speeches of the Pakistani Inside Minister in regards to the presence of TTP in Afghanistan and their doable assault inside Afghanistan,” Kabul stated in a press release.
Tensions have mounted, particularly, as a result of rising TTP assaults focusing on safety forces within the months for the reason that Taliban takeover in 2021. Pakistan’s use of cross-border airstrikes is tied to the trajectory of the TTP in Afghanistan and Islamabad’s rising frustration with the Taliban’s failure to restrain the group.
Since its resurgence just a few years in the past, the TTP has strengthened its bases in Afghanistan to assault Pakistan — particularly in areas the place the Taliban’s territorial affect as an insurgency was vital. After taking on the nation, the Taliban gave the TTP de-facto political asylum.
The TTP has used its improved political standing in Afghanistan to step-up cross-border assaults and is now repeatedly sending fighters into Pakistan.
Final week, in an interview with Specific Information, Rana Sanaullah Khan stated Pakistan could goal TTP hideouts in Afghanistan if its Taliban rulers didn’t take any motion in opposition to the group.
“Afghanistan is our brotherly nation and we are going to first speak to them to dismantle the TTP hideouts and hand over the group’s members to Pakistan,” the minister had stated.
However Kabul, in its newest assertion, claimed it was in possession of “proof” of TTP bases inside Pakistan and such “claims by Pakistani officers hurt good relations between two brotherly neighbouring international locations”.
“Afghanistan requires decision of each concern by way of understanding,” the assertion added.
It additionally stated that Afghanistan was “able to defend its territorial integrity and independence” and knew methods to defend the nation.
Drastically emboldened by the Afghan Taliban’s rise to energy, TTP has declared the previous as their position mannequin and launched an escalating terror marketing campaign inside Pakistan from its bases in Afghanistan.
Following the upsurge in militancy in tribal areas, the safety forces are dealing with direct assaults from the TTP, main the federal government to complain about terrorist secure havens in Afghanistan.