Pakistan’s military on Tuesday firmly rejected allegations circulating in Afghanistan that a precision strike or cross-border attack had been carried out by Pakistani forces.
In an informal briefing with senior journalists, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan had undertaken no military action inside Afghanistan. He stressed that whenever Pakistan conducts an operation, it is publicly announced.
“We do not strike from behind. We challenge the enemy and then act. Our issue is with the Afghan interim government, not with the Afghan people,” he said, reiterating that Islamabad has never targeted civilians and does not engage in covert attacks.
No ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’ Taliban, Cross-Border Support the Core Problem
The DG ISPR said Pakistan draws no distinction between militant groups. “In our view, there are no good or bad Taliban. Terrorists are terrorists, and there is no differentiation,” he stated, adding that cross-border facilitation for militants remains the biggest challenge.
He said Pakistan’s policy on terrorism is clear and uncompromising. Since November 4, security forces have killed 206 militants in various operations, with all suicide attackers involved being Afghan nationals. He added that the so-called Khawarij groups continue to use American weapons left behind in Afghanistan.
Kabul Must Act Like a State
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif urged the Taliban administration to behave like a responsible state, not a non-state actor. He said the Afghan regime must take verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from its soil. Until that happens, he said, there will be no negotiations.
He also questioned how long the Taliban government intends to remain an “interim” setup, noting that Pakistan expects clarity and responsibility from Kabul.
Trade Cannot Continue Amid Attacks
The DG ISPR emphasized that Pakistan will respond “as a state” and will not allow a situation where “blood and business run together.” He said Pakistan cannot pursue trade while facing persistent cross-border attacks.
He called for an immediate ban on non-custom-paid vehicles, saying these have been used in multiple terrorist incidents. Security forces, he added, have conducted 4,910 operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
Social Media Campaigns and Legal Matters
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif also warned that anti-state narratives are being amplified through social media accounts operated from abroad.
Responding to a question regarding former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, the DG ISPR said his court-martial is a legal and judicial process and that speculation must be avoided. “Once the process reaches its conclusion, the media will be informed immediately,” he added.
