Pakistan may launch counter-terrorism operation in Afghanistan

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday suggested that the country’s military may launch a counter-terrorism operation against “terrorist hideouts” in Afghanistan, targeting groups accused of attacking Pakistan.

“If we have to go after Pakistan’s enemies in any country, we will do so,” Asif said, accusing Afghanistan and the Taliban government of providing shelter and support to terror groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Asif’s remarks followed a high-level meeting between Pakistan’s top political and military leadership on Tuesday, where it was decided to eliminate terrorism in all forms.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring, facilitating, and funding anti-Pakistan groups. Pakistan previously carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, targeting suspected TTP hideouts.

In December 2024, Pakistan conducted air raids in Barmal district in Paktika province near South Waziristan, claiming to have killed TTP terrorists. The Afghan Taliban confirmed the attack and alleged that at least 46 civilians were killed, including women and children.

Pakistan also linked the recent Jaffar Express train hijacking in Balochistan to Afghanistan-based militants. The attack in Bolan Pass by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) resulted in a 36-hour standoff, leaving dozens of people dead, including hostages, security personnel, and BLA militants.

Following the attack, Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership moved to implement the revised National Action Plan (NAP) and the Azm-e-Istehkam strategy to dismantle terrorist networks.

Targeting suspected militant hideouts in Afghanistan could further damage already strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, which have been tense for years.