Asif says India, Afghanistan back proxy terrorism; Citing the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif during an interview with Voice of America (VoA). SCREEN GRAB
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan will not hesitate to carry out further airstrikes inside Afghanistan unless Kabul guarantees peace, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday, accusing India and Afghanistan of working together against Pakistan through a proxy war run by terrorists.
In an interview with France 24, Asif said that terrorist violence in Pakistan was the result of Indian-backed terrorism enabled by Kabul’s complicity, and claimed that “almost every franchise of terrorism” was present because of the Afghan government’s inaction.
He said Pakistan retained the option of cross-border action and would exercise it if necessary. “We will not hesitate. If anyone in Kabul can sign peace, there will be no hostilities, but they continue to patronize and become co-conspirators,” he said, adding that Afghan authorities could not deny responsibility for terrorists operating from their soil.
Referring to last year’s attacks in Afghanistan, Asif said the option remained firmly on the table. He accused Delhi of waging a proxy war after defeat during a four-day conflict in May when the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) repelled Indian attempts to encroach on its territory.
Asif said India, Kabul and terrorists were “on the same page” in attacking Pakistan, although India will continue to deny the claim despite maintaining close ties with Afghan authorities. He stressed that war with India remained “a possibility” under the prevailing conditions.
The defense minister said Islamabad had made several diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue, including engagements in Istanbul, Doha and Kabul, but talks did not yield results. According to Asif, Afghan officials acknowledged that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) elements were operating from their territory.
He said that Kabul indirectly admitted that they lacked control over the terrorists’ clothing. “We told them, let’s take care of them,” he said, adding that Pakistan had urged Kabul to allow action against terrorist groups if it could not rein them in on its own.
Asif listed several organizations he said were active from Afghan soil, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, TTP, Islamic State and Da’esh, along with smaller factions. He accused Kabul of providing safe haven to these groups.
The remarks followed a deadly suicide bombing at Imambargah Khadijatul Kubra in Islamabad, which killed 36 worshipers and injured around 169 others. Subsequent raids in Nowshera and Peshawar led to the arrest of four facilitators.
Authorities said the Daesh-linked Afghan mastermind was also captured. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the network had been trained in Afghanistan.
Gaza situation
Turning to the Middle East, Asif said Pakistan was ready to contribute to an international stabilization force in Gaza, provided acceptable terms of reference were established. He highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing role in UN peacekeeping missions and described participation as a potential opportunity to promote a two-state solution.
“Gaza and Palestine are matters close to our hearts,” he said, noting Pakistan’s consistent support for the Palestinians at global forums. He added that involvement in a peacekeeping force could help move closer to a viable two-state outcome.
On relations with Israel, Asif ruled out any prospect of normalization unless the Palestinians were granted the right to self-determination in their own homeland under a two-state framework, despite several Muslim countries establishing ties with Tel Aviv.
The minister also addressed Pakistan’s internal political dynamics, describing the current system as a “hybrid arrangement” where national institutions, including the military, work alongside the elected government.
He rejected claims of military rule and insisted that the armed forces supported civilian leaderships during a period marked by terrorist threats and economic pressures. “There is absolutely no military rule. My boss is the prime minister,” Asif said.
He acknowledged the historical role of the establishment while stressing that current challenges required institutional collaboration. Asif concluded by saying that Pakistan would continue to confront the proxy war while remaining open to peace, warning that continued inaction by Kabul would leave Islamabad with no choice but to respond decisively.
Pakistan has repeatedly warned of a link between Afghanistan and India behind militant violence and points to increased attacks originating across the border. Recent UN reports have also cited an increase in TTP operations launched from Afghan territory, reinforcing Islamabad’s long-standing complaints about terror sanctuaries.
(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
