ISLAMABAD – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has hinted at carrying out operations inside Afghanistan in response to recent terrorist incidents in Islamabad and Wana.
Talking to a private news channel, he warned that Islamabad will not let acts of aggression go unanswered.
Khawaja Asif said evidence of Afghan involvement in recent attacks will be presented to mediators. “We will not leave acts of aggression unanswered; we will give a strong response,” he said, according to his remarks.
Asif rejected the notion that expressions of regret or condemnation from the Afghan Taliban prove the truth of their claims, and argued that militants taking shelter in Taliban-controlled areas have repeatedly attacked Pakistan. He said that the army — “by Allah’s grace” — succeeded in saving cadets at Wana Cadet College.
The minister also accused India of pursuing hostile actions via Afghanistan and said Pakistan has been on high alert regarding India since the recent conflict. “No one should be under any misapprehension — the hostile stance of our neighbour has become evident,” he said.
Asif insisted there are no sanctuaries for terrorists inside Pakistan and claimed that the majority of recent terror incidents involve Afghan militants. He urged that if friendly countries want to help, they should do so, but added that Pakistan cannot rely on verbal assurances from the Afghan Taliban. He further alleged that militants receive money from an Indian consulate in Afghanistan.
The statement comes after a suicide bombing at Islamabad district courts left at least 12 people dead and several others injured.
Another terrorist attack was foiled in Wana where militants attempted to target a cadet college. However, a swift response from armed forces saved lives of every student and teacher in successful operation.
