ISLAMABAD – A fresh diplomatic row erupted between Pakistan and India after Islamabad dismissed New Delhi’s criticism of cross-border strikes targeting TTP hideouts in Afghanistan.
The development comes after major intelligence-based operation conducted by Pakistan’s security forces along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Sunday night. The ground offensive was followed by calibrated strikes on terrorist hideouts and safe havens, which Pakistani authorities said killed over 2 dozen terrorists.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs subsequently condemned Pakistan’s military action, calling it a “blatant act of aggression” and warning that it posed a “direct threat” to regional peace and stability.
Pakistan repeatedly alleged that Delhi continues to facilitate Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant organizations operating from Afghan territory. India’s external intelligence agency, RAW faced accusations of financial assistance, training, and logistical support to TTP through networks allegedly established in Afghanistan.
These accusations became more pronounced after resurgence of TTP following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan and in the aftermath of several high-profile terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.
In recent years, these deadly militant organizations adapted their methods by combining armed violence with political messaging. It alleges that TTP and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), despite their different modes of operation, ultimately serve similar strategic objectives aimed at weakening Pakistan’s security institutions. The report further claims that these activities are coordinated with external support from RAW. These allegations remain contested and have not been independently verified by international bodies.
Pakistan’s counterterrorism framework also advanced amid response to changing dynamics. To strengthen national security, Pakistan advanced expanding intelligence-led operations, targeting terrorist financing channels, dismantling militant leadership structures, and improving investigative mechanisms so that terrorist incidents are prosecuted transparently and effectively.
TTP carried out numerous attacks against Pakistan’s military, law enforcement agencies, civilians, and educational institutions, resulting in thousands of casualties. Consequently, many analysts characterize TTP as a direct threat to Pakistan’s national security rather than an organization acting in pursuit of another country’s strategic objectives.
India’s policy toward Afghanistan historically centered on supporting successive elected governments before Taliban returned to power in 2021. India invested billions of dollars in development initiatives, including transportation infrastructure, dams, educational facilities, healthcare projects, and the construction of Afghanistan’s parliament building. It also trained Afghan security personnel while maintaining opposition to the Taliban during the 1990s through its support for the Northern Alliance, without deploying combat troops inside Afghanistan.
Fresh Strikes
Defending operation as lawful counterterrorism measure, Islamabad rejected India’s allegations as “outlandish,” setting the stage for another sharp exchange between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Pakistan strongly rejected India’s condemnation of its recent cross-border counterterrorism operation, branding New Delhi’s accusations as “baseless” and “preposterous” while defending the military action as a lawful response to escalating terrorist threats.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Pakistan’s strikes against terrorist infrastructure inside Afghanistan were “legitimate, targeted and proportionate” actions carried out in accordance with international law to protect the country’s security.
Andrabi raised questions over India’s absurd response, accusing New Delhi of attempting to divert attention from its own record. He said India has historically interfered in the internal affairs of neighboring countries, undermined their sovereignty in violation of the UN Charter, and continues to deny Kashmiris their right to self-determination in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, contrary to relevant UN resolutions.
Pakistan accused India of actively supporting and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory to carry out attacks against Pakistan, alleging that such activities violate the UN Security Council sanctions regime. The Foreign Office maintained that India’s allegations against Islamabad were politically motivated and should not be taken seriously.
Pakistan, however, reiterated that it has repeatedly urged Afghanistan’s Taliban administration to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries allegedly operating from Afghan soil and being used to launch attacks inside Pakistan. According to Pakistani officials, those repeated appeals have failed to produce meaningful action.
