ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday declared a policy of “zero tolerance” against the nexus between Indian backed terrorists and the Afghan Taliban regime, accusing them of carrying out hostile activities against Pakistan and threatening the country’s security.
He made the remarks during a visit to Army Headquarters where he was given a comprehensive briefing by the military leadership on the prevailing security situation along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, a Prime Minister House’s media wing said in a statement.
He stated that actions carried out against Pakistan by the Afghan Taliban regime and Fitna al-Khawarij were unacceptable and would be dealt with firmly.
The state uses the term Fitna al Khwarij to refer to terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The prime minister expressed full confidence in the preparedness of the country’s armed forces, saying that under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, the Armed Forces of Pakistan remain fully ready at all times to defend the country.
“Pakistan knows well how to defend itself against any aggression,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the professionalism of the Armed Forces for repelling attacks in border areas attributed to the Afghan Taliban regime and for delivering a strong and effective response.
He added that the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan launched large-scale cross-border counterstrikes into Afghanistan early Friday, killing 133 Taliban fighters, wounding more than 200, destroying 27 border posts, and capturing nine others in what officials described as a decisive response to unprovoked attacks along the Pakistan–Afghanistan frontier.
The operation — named Operation Ghazab Lil Haq — also targeted and neutralised two Taliban corps headquarters, multiple brigade and battalion command centres, sector headquarters, ammunition depots, logistics bases, and more than 80 tanks, artillery pieces and armoured vehicles, according to Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Earlier addressing a press conference, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan had acted decisively following what he termed unprovoked aggression, stressing that national security would be defended at all costs.
Pakistan’s armed forces launched an “immediate and effective” response to terrorists attacks originating from across the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, targeting Afghan Taliban positions and terrorist infrastructure at multiple locations, according to the military’s media wing.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused terrorist groups based in Afghanistan of carrying out cross-border attacks, urging Kabul to prevent its territory from being used against Pakistan. Afghan authorities have previously denied such allegations.
The latest escalation marks one of the most intense military confrontations along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in recent years, raising concerns about regional stability amid already fragile relations between Islamabad and Kabul.
