Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the Pakistani army for his “strong and effective reaction to Afghanistan’s aggression” and “strongly convicted Afghanistan’s provocations along the border areas of Pakistan”, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office (PMO).
“We are proud of the professionalism of our armed forces,” said the Prime Minister.
Under the “bold leadership” of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, he said, the Pakistani army had not only reacted resolutely to Afghanistan’s provocations, but had also destroyed several Afghan positions and forced a retreat.
The Prime Minister confirmed that there would be no compromise with Pakistan’s defense and that any action would be met with a decisive response. “Our defense is in talented hands, and we know how to protect every inch of our homeland,” he said.
“The whole nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan’s security forces,” he added.
PM Shehbaz said Pakistan had repeatedly informed Afghanistan about the presence of terror elements, including Fitna-E-Khawarij and Fitna-E-Hindustan, operating from Afghan Earth towards Pakistan. “Terrorist organizations are supported by certain elements of Afghanistan,” he noted.
He concluded by saying that Pakistan expected the Afghan temporary government to ensure that its territory was not used by terror elements against Pakistan.
Read: Pakistan Army strikes back after night by Afghan -Fire across multiple fronts
The statement followed a night of increased tension and clashes along the border between Pakistan – Afghanistan.
According to security sources, Afghan forces opened unprovoked fire on several points along the border-inclusive Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir and Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as well as the Zhob district in Balochistan.
The firing, they said, was aimed at facilitating the cross-border movement of “Khawarij” and TTP operatives. The Pakistani Army’s alarm and vigilant positions responded quickly and resolutely with the exchange of fire.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government accused Pakistan on Friday for Friday of having performed air strikes in his area and warned of “consequences”. Islamabad, for his part, said its patience with Kabul was wearing thin without confirming or denying the strikes.
At a press conference on Friday, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported LT Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry “Reports of the strikes.” To protect the people of Pakistan, we do and will continue to do whatever is needed. Our requirements for Afghanistan: Your land must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan, ”he said.
Islamabad has long accused Kabul of not having out of expelling militants using Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan, a claim that Afghan authorities deny. Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliated companies are behind most of the recent violence in Pakistan, which is largely aimed at security forces.
Earlier this year, a UN report stated that TTP “receives significant logistical and operational support from the De facto authorities”, referring to the Taliban government in Kabul.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told Parliament on Thursday that several attempts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to stop supporting the TTP had failed.
“We will not tolerate this anymore,” said Mr Asif. “United, we have to respond to those who facilitate them, whether the hides are on our earth or Afghan Earth.”
