Pakistan Issues Warning to Afghanistan Amid Rising Cross-Border Tensions
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Islamabad, Jan 6 (NationPress) Defending its recent airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province, the government of Pakistan stated on Monday that it is prepared to execute more operations within Afghan territory aimed at eliminating Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts, if required.
"We possess the legal authority to persist with these operations if Afghan territory is utilized to launch attacks against Pakistan," was quoted from Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on political matters, by local media on Monday.
On December 24, Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan resulted in the death of 46 individuals, including numerous women and children, which drew international condemnation and a strong warning from the Taliban administration in the conflict-ridden nation.
The aerial assaults by Pakistani fighter jets on specific areas within the Barmal district of Paktika province marked the second incident in 2024 of Islamabad directly targeting civilian regions in Afghan territory.
In March 2024, a comparable strike led to the deaths of eight individuals, among whom were three children.
Sanaullah's remarks emerged as Islamabad has escalated its counter-terrorism efforts against the TTP and other anti-state militant factions, while accusing the Afghan Taliban of sheltering insurgents and facilitating their terrorist endeavors within Pakistan.
This statement is perceived as a reaction to ongoing threats from various Taliban leaders directed at Pakistan since the airstrikes.
"Afghans will not forget the invasion of their land, and the rulers of Pakistan should adopt a cautious approach," stated Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Afghan Foreign Minister, two days following the airstrikes, deeming the Pakistani actions as a breach of Afghanistan's territorial integrity and potentially a catalyst for significant conflict between the nations.
Recently, Afghanistan's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, had also cautioned that Afghanistan possesses fighters who could act like an atomic bomb.
"Islamabad should not test the limits of its western neighbor. Pakistan must not take advantage of the Afghan government's patience. We have fighters that possess capabilities akin to an atomic bomb. If we unleash just five descendants of Mahmud Ghaznavi, Babur, and Ahmad Shāh Abdali from this border towards you (Pakistan), not even the Indian Ocean will be able to halt them," Stanikzai remarked while addressing a graduation ceremony in Kabul last Saturday.
Islamabad maintains that the Afghan Taliban is supporting the TTP, providing the necessary funding for their operations against Pakistan, and that Kabul's inaction against these groups prompted the airstrikes.
Meanwhile, the TTP continues to target military and security establishments in Pakistan and is now set to expand its scope of targeted operations.
In a recent statement, the militant organization announced its intention to extend its attacks to include the Pakistani military's commercial enterprises, which encompass housing societies, banks, fertilizer companies, cement firms, and ordnance factories across the nation.
"The TTP will focus exclusively on security forces. As is well-known, the Pakistan Army heavily relies on its various business interests, which have allowed it to dominate the country for 70 years. Therefore, the TTP has determined that from now on, attacks will also target all military-owned and military-operated businesses," the TTP statement declared.
The TTP has issued a three-month ultimatum to all companies affiliated with Pakistan's military establishment, warning shareholders of severe repercussions.
The statement specifically identified military-affiliated businesses in the country, including National Logistics Cell, Frontier Works Organisation, Fauji Cement, Askari Bank, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Askari Cement, Pakistan Ordinance Factory, Fauji Foundation, Fauji Foods, and Askari Fuels.
"All companies holding shares in military-affiliated firms should divest within three months. All employees working in military-led enterprises are also given a three-month deadline to resign and seek employment elsewhere. All retailers that carry products from military-led companies are given two months to remove these items and cease future sales," the TTP declared.
"If such products are still found in stores after two months, our operatives will be instructed to destroy them or remove them by any means necessary. Likewise, vehicles used for transporting military-affiliated products will also be destroyed," the statement continued.
Furthermore, the TTP has cautioned political parties, including the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), to refrain from labeling TTP as "fitna al khawarij", threatening them with attacks if they do not comply.
