Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has indicated the possibility of cross-border military action in Afghanistan against terrorist elements, emphasizing that Islamabad will take necessary steps to safeguard national security.
During an interview on Tuesday, Asif stated that Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to act against the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), but internal divisions within the Afghan Taliban have hindered effective measures. He also accused some Afghan officials of providing shelter to TTP militants.
An in-camera session of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, attended by top civil-military leadership, reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism with full force. The committee stressed the need for a unified political and strategic approach to tackle the security threats.
This high-level meeting followed a recent attack by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), in which militants detonated railway tracks and held over 440 passengers hostage during a prolonged standoff with security forces in Bolan district. Pakistani officials claimed that the BLA operatives were in communication with their handlers in Afghanistan and have sought clarification from Kabul regarding their presence.
Asif warned that Pakistan would not hesitate to engage in cross-border operations if required. “If we need to conduct hot pursuit operations inside Afghanistan to eliminate threats, we will do so. This is about Pakistan’s national security, not diplomacy,” he stated, emphasizing the country’s right to target those who endanger its citizens and military.
He further alleged that certain groups opposing counterterrorism measures are acting against Pakistan’s interests. Without naming specific political parties, he suggested that some elements had been introduced into Pakistan’s security landscape to serve as private militias.
Meanwhile, Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Minister Musadik Malik reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorist networks through intelligence-based operations, targeted strikes, and direct combat. Speaking in a separate interview, he declared: “The state has decided to take the fight to those who are responsible for the martyrdom of our people.”
According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Pakistan has become the second-most affected country by terrorism, rising from the fourth position previously. The nation experienced a sharp 45% increase in terrorism-related deaths, escalating from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. The number of attacks more than doubled, exceeding 1,000 for the first time since the index’s inception, a trend that analysts link to the Taliban’s return to power in Kabul.
