RASC News Agency: Following Pakistan’s recent warnings about potential attacks on Afghanistan soil, Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Defense Minister, stated that the country will continue its cross-border operations in Afghanistan as part of a new military campaign aimed at combating terrorism. According to reports released on Tuesday, July 2, Asif justified Islamabad’s cross-border attacks on Afghanistan, stating that the Taliban would not be informed of impending assaults.
The Defense Minister elaborated: “We will not inform Taliban officials about our attacks on Afghanistan soil; doing so would negate the element of surprise. Why should we tell them to prepare when we are planning an operation?” He added that Islamabad’s airstrikes would target groups deemed responsible for attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. Khawaja Asif clarified: “It is true that we have conducted operations in Afghanistan and will continue to do so. If we are attacked from Afghanistan, we will retaliate.”
Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harboring Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members and has repeatedly urged the group to take action against the TTP. However, the Taliban have denied these accusations, asserting that Afghanistan soil under their control poses no threat to any country.