Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani forces repelled an &ldquo;unprovoked&rdquo; cross-border assault overnight and inflicted heavy losses on Afghan Taliban fighters and affiliated militants, the military&rsquo;s media wing said, estimating more than 200 enemy fighters neutralized while 23 Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom.&nbsp;According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Afghan Taliban fighters, joined by Fitna al-Khawarij, a militant faction that Islamabad identifies as Indian-sponsored proxies of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), launched a coordinated attack along multiple sectors of the Pak-Afghan frontier on the night of October 11&ndash;12.&nbsp;The assault included heavy firing and limited ground raids aimed at destabilizing border districts to facilitate infiltration of terrorist elements, ISPR said in a detailed statement issued Sunday.&nbsp;&ldquo;Exercising the right of self-defence, the alert Armed Forces of Pakistan repelled the assault decisively all along the border and inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces and affiliated Khwarij,&rdquo; the statement said. &ldquo;Precision fires and strikes, as well as physical raids, were directed against Taliban camps, posts, terrorist training facilities and support networks operating from Afghan territory.&rdquo;&nbsp;The statement added that 21 hostile positions on the Afghan side were briefly captured and multiple terrorist training centres &ldquo;used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan&rdquo; were rendered inoperative.&nbsp;&nbsp;23 Pakistani soldiers &ldquo;embraced martyrdom while defending the territorial integrity of the motherland,&rdquo; while 29 others were wounded.&nbsp;According to ISPR&rsquo;s post-operation assessment, more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated terrorists were killed and many more injured in retaliatory strikes that caused &ldquo;extensive infrastructural damage to Taliban posts, camps, headquarters and support networks along the border, ranging from tactical to operational depth.&rdquo;&nbsp;Indian angle underscoredIn a strongly worded section of the release, the military&rsquo;s media wing highlighted what it described as India&rsquo;s growing involvement in Afghan-based terrorism directed against Pakistan.&nbsp;&ldquo;Last night&rsquo;s episode vindicates Pakistan&rsquo;s long-standing position that the Taliban Government is actively facilitating the terrorists,&rdquo; ISPR said. <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZKz4Z-2EcrI?si=QHHyC8uH5DVAPVNH" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;">&nbsp;</iframe>&nbsp;</div>&nbsp;&ldquo;If the Taliban Government continues to sponsor terrorist outfits, in cohorts with India, for the shortsighted objective of destabilizing the region, the people and the State of Pakistan will not rest until the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is completely eliminated.&rdquo;&nbsp;The statement noted that the border provocation coincided with the visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi, &ldquo;the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region,&rdquo; where India had recently announced plans to upgrade bilateral engagement with the Taliban regime. <div class="fr-embed instagram-embed" style="width: 50%; display: block; max-width: 600px;"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPspi-oDdV1/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1064&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com&rp=%2Farticles%2F1272#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A4456653.600000024%2C%22ls%22%3A1149.9000000357628%2C%22le%22%3A1171.199999988079%7D" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="871" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></div>&nbsp;&ldquo;We have noted with concern that this serious provocation has occurred during the visit of the Taliban Foreign Minister to India,&rdquo; ISPR added, calling on the Taliban government to take &ldquo;immediate and verifiable actions to neutralize terrorist groups, including FAK, FAH and ISKP/Daesh, operating from Afghan territory.&rdquo;&nbsp;The military reaffirmed that Pakistan &ldquo;will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by persistent neutralization of terror targets,&rdquo; and urged Kabul to prioritize &ldquo;the well-being, peace and prosperity of the Afghan people over irresponsible sabre-rattling.&rdquo;&nbsp;Clashes across multiple sectorsSecurity officials said Afghan troops opened unprovoked fire late Saturday night across several sectors of the frontier, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baramcha in Balochistan, allegedly to facilitate infiltration by Khawarij formations linked to the TTP.&nbsp;Pakistani positions retaliated &ldquo;with full force&rdquo; using artillery, tanks and air assets, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghan forces are in a state of panic due to the intense retaliation,&rdquo; one source said. &ldquo;Several posts have been abandoned as a result of heavy losses. Afghan soldiers fled, leaving behind multiple bodies.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security officials said Afghanistan has formally requested a halt to Pakistan&rsquo;s counter-action as precision targeting continues against Khawarij and Daesh elements operating from Afghan territory.&nbsp;Video footage obtained by Pakistan TV Digital showed fires raging at several destroyed outposts, with captured installations strewn with military gear. In one clip, an Afghan Taliban fighter appeared to surrender to Pakistani troops.&nbsp;&lsquo;A godsend opportunity&rsquo;Defence analyst Hasaan Khan said the episode demonstrated that Pakistan had both the legal and strategic right to eliminate terror sanctuaries across the border.&nbsp;&ldquo;This is a godsend opportunity for Pakistan,&rdquo; Khan told Pakistan TV.&nbsp;&ldquo;The initiative has been taken by the Afghan Taliban; they started the war. They attacked Pakistani posts and violated international law. Now Pakistan must strike the areas where, based on our intelligence, the TTP and terrorist training camps are located.&rdquo;&nbsp;Khan described Muttaqi&rsquo;s recent remarks against Pakistan as &ldquo;jingoistic&rdquo; and &ldquo;provocative,&rdquo; arguing that no Pakistani political leader &ldquo;religious or secular,&rdquo; would tolerate such rhetoric. He added that &ldquo;India&rsquo;s hand&rdquo; was evident behind the latest escalation.&nbsp;&ldquo;India wants Pakistan and Afghanistan to be in actual conflict,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Afghan Taliban must understand Indian intentions,&rdquo; Khan said. &ldquo;India&rsquo;s only interest in Afghanistan is to harm Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;They have betrayed every Afghan government in the past, from Dr. Najibullah to Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani.&rdquo;&nbsp;Political leadership stands with Armed ForcesPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday lauded the Armed Forces for their &ldquo;strong and effective action&rdquo; in response to Afghanistan&rsquo;s provocations and for successfully targeting terrorist hideouts across the border.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are proud of the professional expertise of the Pakistan Armed Forces,&rdquo; he said in a statement issued by his office in Lahore. &ldquo;There will be no compromise on Pakistan&rsquo;s defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response.&rdquo;&nbsp;The prime minister paid tribute to the 23 security personnel who embraced martyrdom, prayed for the elevation of their ranks and for the speedy recovery of the wounded, and expressed condolences to their families.&nbsp;He reiterated that Pakistan has repeatedly provided Afghanistan with intelligence on terrorist elements, including Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan, operating from Afghan soil.&nbsp;&ldquo;Terrorist organizations are receiving support from elements present in Afghanistan,&rdquo; the prime minister said, urging the Taliban caretaker government to ensure its territory is not used against Pakistan. <div class="fr-embed instagram-embed" style="width: 50%; display: block; max-width: 600px;"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPr3CInDWOv/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1064&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com&rp=%2Farticles%2F1272#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A4503209.699999988%2C%22ls%22%3A1149.9000000357628%2C%22le%22%3A1171.199999988079%7D" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="871" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></div> <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"> </div>Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned Afghanistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;blatant violation of international law.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;The fire and blood being played out from Afghanistan have links to our perennial enemy,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Afghanistan will be given a strong, decisive response &mdash; just as India was.&rdquo;&nbsp;Border crossings closedFollowing the clashes, Pakistan temporarily closed all major crossings along the 2,600-kilometre Pak-Afghan frontier, including Torkham and Chaman, as well as Kharlachi, Angoor Adda and Ghulam Khan, officials confirmed.&nbsp;In the wake of the rising tensions, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar on Sunday voiced concern over the escalation, urging both nations to show restraint and pursue dialogue. Riyadh said it was &ldquo;following with concern the tensions and clashes witnessed in the border areas,&rdquo; while Tehran and Doha also called for diplomacy to prevent further escalation. With additional inputs from Reuters, APP and Pakistan TV

Security

Heavy clashes erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as Pakistani forces repelled Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij attacks, neutralizing over 200 militants, capturing multiple positions, and sustaining 23 soldier fatalities while ongoing tensions continue to threaten regional stability.

Over 200 Taliban, affiliates killed; 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred in border clashes: Pak Army

Mariam Ellahi

Muhammad Imad Abbas

Pakistan military spokesperson says recent intelligence confirms foreign-backed militants are regrouping along the Afghan border, warning that Pakistan will respond firmly to any threat against its citizens, sovereignty, and regional stability.

Pakistan says India using Afghan soil to fuel terror attacks

PESHAWAR: Pakistani security forces acting on intelligence killed 30 terrorists in multiple raids on Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in the country&#39;s northwestern region, where insurgents this week ambushed a security convoy, martyring 11 soldiers, the military said on Friday. The raids were conducted in Orakzai, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where a military convoy came under attack on Wednesday, the military said in a statement. The ambush martyred 11 soldiers, including two senior officers. According to the statement, all 30 terrorists were killed in the raids on Wednesday and Thursday and identified as members of &ldquo;Khwarij&rdquo;, a term the government uses for terrorists it accuses of being backed by India, including those associated with the banned TTP. &ldquo;These successful operations have avenged the heinous act and brought the main perpetrators to justice,&rdquo; the statement said. It added that operations were continuing to hunt and eliminate any other &ldquo;Indian-sponsored Khwarij&rdquo; in the area, reaffirming that Pakistan&rsquo;s forces remain determined to eradicate terrorism from the country. Pakistan has long accused New Delhi of supporting separatists in Balochistan and the TTP, allegations India denies. In a brief statement on Wednesday, the TTP claimed responsibility for the convoy ambush in Orakzai and other areas. The latest development came a day after Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told parliament that Pakistan would show &ldquo;no leniency&rdquo; in responding to such attacks. He said the country would target &ldquo;those places from where insurgents attack our security forces.&rdquo; He also urged Afghanistan&rsquo;s Taliban government to prevent the use of Afghan soil for attacks on Pakistan. Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant violence in recent years, much of it claimed by the TTP. The group &mdash; separate from but allied with Afghanistan&rsquo;s Taliban &mdash; has been emboldened since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021. Many TTP leaders and fighters are believed to operate from sanctuaries across the Afghan border, straining relations between Islamabad and Kabul.

Pakistan has long accused New Delhi of supporting separatists in Balochistan and the Pakistani Taliban.

Pakistani forces kill 30 terrorists after deadly ambush that martyred soldiers

ISLAMABAD: Seven Indian-sponsored terrorists were killed by security forces in an operation in northwest Pakistan. &nbsp; Pakistan military&rsquo;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement issued on Thursday, said: &ldquo;On 8 October 2025, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Daraban, Dera Ismail Khan District, on reported presence of Khwarij (terrorists) belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al-Khwarij.&rdquo; &ldquo;During the conduct of operation, due to effective engagement by own troops seven Indian-sponsored terrorists were killed,&rdquo; the statement said. &ldquo;However, during the intense fire exchange, Major Sibtain Haider (age: 30 years, resident of District Quetta), a brave officer who was leading his troops from the front, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat,&rdquo; the statement added. According to ISPR, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the security forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as in the killing of innocent civilians. Determined to wipe out terrorism&ldquo;Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area,&rdquo; said the statement. &ldquo;The security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of our brave sons further strengthen our resolve,&rdquo; the statement concluded.

The operation was carried out by Pakistan security forces in Dera Ismail Khan; Major Sibtain Haider martyred.

Seven Indian-sponsored terrorists killed in northwest Pakistan; officer embraces martyrdom  

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army on Wednesday warned that any Indian aggression or attempt to impose an &ldquo;imaginary new normal&rdquo; in the region would be met with a &ldquo;swift and decisive retributive response.&rdquo;&nbsp;The warning came during the 272nd Corps Commanders&rsquo; Conference (CCC) held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, presided over by Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, according to a statement issued by the military&rsquo;s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).&nbsp;The ISPR said the forum discussed Pakistan&rsquo;s security situation, ongoing counterterrorism operations, and the emerging regional threat environment.&nbsp;The commanders reaffirmed the army&rsquo;s resolve to defend the country against &ldquo;inimical designs&rdquo; across all domains and declared that any &ldquo;perceived notion of India&rsquo;s relative safety accruing from geography will be shattered.&rdquo;&nbsp;The conference began with prayers for the martyrs of recent terrorist attacks that Pakistan alleges were orchestrated by Indian-backed groups.&nbsp;The army chief praised the &ldquo;spirit, resolve, and determination&rdquo; of the armed forces in combating what he termed &ldquo;foreign-sponsored terror proxies&rdquo; and in carrying out flood relief operations alongside civil authorities and law enforcement agencies. <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/c689cc55-7b2c-4182-814f-5237bdc5f555-Screenshot 2025-10-08 173031.png" alt="Screenshot 2025-10-08 173031.png" class="fr-fil fr-dib"></figure> &nbsp;The forum reviewed the ongoing counterterrorism campaign and vowed to continue comprehensive operations to dismantle networks of Indian-sponsored militant outfits, including &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij&rdquo; and &ldquo;Fitna al-Hindustan.&rdquo;&nbsp;The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad refers to as Fitna al-Khawarij, a term from Islamic history describing a violent rebel faction, has been blamed for hundreds of attacks across Pakistan&rsquo;s northwest and border areas.&nbsp;Expressing &ldquo;grave concern&rdquo; over recent &ldquo;irresponsible and provocative statements&rdquo; from Indian political and military leaders, the commanders said such rhetoric reflected a pattern of &ldquo;whipping up war hysteria for political gain.&rdquo;&nbsp;The forum cautioned that India&rsquo;s &ldquo;unwarranted warmongering&rdquo; could escalate tensions and jeopardize regional peace and stability.&nbsp;The statement also highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s recent diplomatic outreach, reaffirming its commitment to global and regional peace. The forum welcomed the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing it as a step toward stronger strategic ties, joint defense cooperation, and a shared vision for peace and security in the Middle East and South Asia.&nbsp;Reiterating Pakistan&rsquo;s support for the Kashmiri people&rsquo;s right to self-determination under UN Security Council resolutions, the forum also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause.&nbsp;It called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid, reiterating support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.&nbsp;In his closing remarks, the field marshal directed commanders to maintain the highest standards of operational readiness, discipline, fitness, and innovation, and expressed full confidence in the army&rsquo;s capability to counter threats &ldquo;across the entire spectrum, from conventional and sub-conventional to hybrid and asymmetric warfare.&rdquo;

At top commanders’ conference in Rawalpindi, the Pakistan Army pledged to counter any Indian aggression with a swift and decisive response, warning that geographic barriers will not guarantee safety and reaffirming readiness across all domains.

Pakistan Army warns India: imaginary ‘new normal’ to meet swift retribution

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani forces killed 19 Indian-sponsored terrorists in Orakzai during an operation on Tuesday. Eleven soldiers, including two officers, were martyred. According to a statement issued by Pakistan&rsquo;s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the area on the reported presence of &ldquo;Khwarij&rdquo; (terrorists) belonging to the Indian proxy, &ldquo;Fitna al-Khwarij.&rdquo; During the operation, 19 Indian-sponsored terrorists were killed. However, during the intense fire exchange, Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Tariq (age: 39 years, resident of District Rawalpindi), leading his troops from the front along with second in command Major Tayyab Rahat (age: 33 years, resident of District Rawalpindi), having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom along with his nine men.<figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/8b89268a-aff7-4c6b-adff-6f24ecdd2805-Soldiers.jpg" alt="Soldiers.jpg" class="fr-fil fr-dib"></figure> The nine brave soldiers who were martyred include Naib Subedar Azam Gul (age: 38 years, resident of District Khyber), Naik Adil Hussain (age: 35 years, resident of District Kurram), Naik Gul Ameer (age: 34 years, resident of District Tank), Lance Naik Sher Khan (age: 31 years, resident of District Mardan), Lance Naik Talish Faraz (age: 32 years, resident of District Manshera), Lance Naik Irshad Hussain (age: 32 years, resident of District Kurram), Sepoy Tufail Khan (age: 28 years, resident of District Malakand), Sepoy Aqib Ali (age: 23 years, resident of District Swabi), and Sepoy Muhammad Zahid (age: 24 years, resident of District Tank).&nbsp;Sanitization operation continuesSanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area. The ISPR statement added, &ldquo;The security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian Sponsored Terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve.&rdquo;&nbsp;Prime Minister Sharif praises security forcesPakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for killing the 19 terrorists, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office on Wednesday. The prime minister expressed sorrow over the martyrdom of Lieutenant Colonel Junaid Arif and Major Tayyab Rahat as well as the courageous soldiers of the Pakistan Army in the security operation. Sharif prayed for the martyrs and for patience and steadfastness for their bereaved families. &ldquo;The sacrifices of the fearless sons of the security forces will by no means go in vain,&rdquo; the prime minister said. &ldquo;We will crush the nefarious designs of the Indian‑backed terrorists,&rdquo; Sharif said. &ldquo;We will not allow elements who harm Pakistan&rsquo;s integrity to succeed. The government is determined to completely eradicate the monster of terrorism from the country.&quot;

Pakistani security forces killed 19 Indian-sponsored terrorists in Orakzai during an operation. Eleven soldiers, including two officers, embraced martyrdom. Pakistan armed forces have vowed to eliminate Indian-backed terrorism.

19 Indian-sponsored terrorists killed in northwestern Pakistan; 11 soldiers martyred: ISPR 

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army said on Saturday that India appears to be &ldquo;aching for the next round of confrontation,&rdquo; cautioning that any renewed hostilities would be met with a firm and unrestricted response, the military&rsquo;s media wing said.&nbsp;According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), &ldquo;delusional, provocative and jingoistic&rdquo; remarks from India&rsquo;s security leadership reflect an effort to create pretexts for aggression. The statement warned that such an approach could have &ldquo;serious consequences for peace and stability in South Asia.&rdquo;&nbsp;ISPR noted that India has long portrayed itself as a victim while &ldquo;stoking violence and perpetrating terrorism&rdquo; in the region.&nbsp;&nbsp;The recent conflicts had shown Pakistan&rsquo;s capability to respond effectively, reminding India of &ldquo;the wreckage of its fighter jets and the wrath of Pakistan&rsquo;s long-range vectors,&rdquo; it added.&nbsp;The military&rsquo;s media wing said Pakistan has now established a &ldquo;new normal of response,&rdquo; describing it as swift, decisive and designed to dispel any belief in geographic immunity.&nbsp;It cautioned that in the event of a conflict, strikes would extend to &ldquo;the farthest reaches of Indian territory.&rdquo;&nbsp;The ISPR statement followed recent remarks from Indian defence officials, warning New Delhi &ldquo;a future conflict might lead to cataclysmic devastation.&rdquo;&nbsp;Indian Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh claimed India had downed five Pakistani fighter jets, F-16 and JF-17 models, during May&rsquo;s clashes.&nbsp;&nbsp;Separately, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi also warned that New Delhi would not show the same restraint in any future operation, saying Pakistan must end &ldquo;state-sponsored terrorism.&rdquo;&nbsp;Concluding its statement, ISPR warned that India&#39;s talk of erasing Pakistan from the map was reckless. &ldquo;If such a situation arises, the erasure will be mutual,&rdquo; it said.

Responds to Indian Army and Air Chiefs threatening statements on relaunching Operation Sindoor; says India aching for confrontation; vows swift and decisive response; says erasure will be mutual.

India aching for confrontation, future conflict may lead to ‘cataclysmic devastation’: Pakistan Army

ISLAMABAD: Muslim countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have strongly condemned a deadly terrorist attack targeting Pakistani soldiers in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province this week.&nbsp;The condemnation comes as Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a high-profile visit to the affected region of Bannu, issued a stern warning to Afghanistan&rsquo;s Taliban-led administration, urging it to sever ties with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or face diplomatic isolation.&nbsp;&ldquo;Choose one of two paths,&rdquo; PM Sharif said. &ldquo;If they [Afghanistan] want sincere relations with Pakistan, we&rsquo;re ready. But if they choose terrorists, then we will have nothing to do with the Afghan interim government.&rdquo;&nbsp;Sharif&rsquo;s comments followed a brutal week of clashes in KP&rsquo;s Bajaur, South Waziristan, and Lower Dir districts, where Pakistani forces killed 45 militants in three separate intelligence-based operations. Nineteen soldiers were martyred in the confrontations, according to Pakistan&rsquo;s military media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).&nbsp;The ISPR said intelligence reports &ldquo;unequivocally confirmed&rdquo; the involvement of Afghan nationals in the attacks, calling on Kabul to prevent its soil from being used for terrorist activities.&nbsp;Meanwhile, global Muslim allies rallied in solidarity with Pakistan:&nbsp;Qatar denounced the attacks as a &ldquo;brutal assault&rdquo; on Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 825px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1966908460609794145&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=41d96138975a57151dccdc151cd84dca9733f8e0&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its &ldquo;firm rejection of all forms of terrorism.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 825px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1966908855126020351&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=41d96138975a57151dccdc151cd84dca9733f8e0&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;T&uuml;rkiye condemned the attack as &ldquo;heinous terrorism.&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 777px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1966866274069385582&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=41d96138975a57151dccdc151cd84dca9733f8e0&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;UAE called it a &ldquo;criminal act&rdquo; undermining regional peace.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 824px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=true&id=1966875311704076798&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ec33bb8b9a09021807b91ca587ed24d80e46061e&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div></div>&nbsp;Kuwait extended condolences to the victims&#39; families and wished the injured a swift recovery.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-4" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 945px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1966910289728700827&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=41d96138975a57151dccdc151cd84dca9733f8e0&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;The repeated cross-border militant incursions have strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, particularly since the breakdown of a ceasefire with the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) in late 2022. Pakistan accuses the Taliban-led government of harboring TTP fighters, a claim Afghanistan has consistently denied.&nbsp;Earlier this year, Pakistan began expelling undocumented foreigners, mostly Afghans, a move seen as both a security measure and political pressure on Kabul.&nbsp;&ldquo;Terrorists come from Afghanistan and join forces with the TTP to martyr our soldiers,&rdquo; Sharif said. &ldquo;We will end this, with or without Afghan cooperation.&rdquo;&nbsp;During his Bannu visit, the prime minister attended funeral prayers for the slain troops and visited wounded personnel at a military hospital. He was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and top military commanders, who briefed him on the security situation.&nbsp;Sharif also announced plans to convene a federal cabinet session to discuss a national strategy to combat militancy, reiterating that Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and peace cannot be compromised.&nbsp;As Pakistan faces a rising tide of extremist violence along its western frontier, leaders and analysts warn that regional security cooperation, especially with Afghanistan, remains critical.&nbsp;There has been no immediate comment from Kabul in response to these statements from Islamabad.

PM Sharif urges Kabul to choose between Islamabad or the militants after 19 soldiers lost their lives in militant attacks in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan Army"

Over 200 Taliban, affiliates killed; 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred in border clashes: Pak Army

Pakistan says India using Afghan soil to fuel terror attacks

Pakistani forces kill 30 terrorists after deadly ambush that martyred soldiers

Seven Indian-sponsored terrorists killed in northwest Pakistan; officer embraces martyrdom

Pakistan Army warns India: imaginary ‘new normal’ to meet swift retribution

19 Indian-sponsored terrorists killed in northwestern Pakistan; 11 soldiers martyred: ISPR

India aching for confrontation, future conflict may lead to ‘cataclysmic devastation’: Pakistan Army

Muslim world condemns deadly attack on Pakistan soldiers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Over 200 Taliban, affiliates killed; 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred in border clashes: Pak Army