Following the recent rise in terror activities in Pakistan, the country’s top military officials accuse the Afghan Taliban of allowing TTP militants to use Afghan soil to launch attacks on Pakistan.
In his remarks earlier in the week, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that Afghan soil was ‘being used for cross-border terrorism’ – followed by immediate reactions from the authorities of Afghan Taliban in Kabul.
In response to Pakistani Ministers’ remarks, Taliban Spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid on Tuesday said, “the Islamic Emirate is trying its best to ensure that the territory of Afghanistan is not used against Pakistan or any other country.” “Pakistani officials should take responsibility to fight terrorism and avoid using provocative and irresponsible language,” he added.
Asif’s comments came as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, also called Pakistani Taliban) accelerated its operation in different parts of Pakistan. Islamabad again turned to pressure the Afghan Taliban to take action against the TTP but also said it would move against the insurgent group.
Pakistan’s National Security Committee held a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on January 2, reiterating its resolve to have “zero tolerance for terrorism” in Pakistan and “reaffirmed its determination to take on any and all entities that resort to violence.”
As reported, at the end of NSC, Pakistani high-ranking military and security officials vowed that no nation would be allowed to shelter militants who stage attacks against the country. The reference was clearly to Afghanistan.
Whereas, the Afghan Taliban rejects the accusations made by Pakistani officials, describing them as baseless allegations that can tarnish the relations between the neighboring countries.
