Amid escalating tensions along the Pak-Afghan border, President Asif Ali Zardari and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held a high-level security meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr to review the volatile regional situation and Pakistan’s military preparedness. The meeting followed a series of cross-border attacks by the Afghan Taliban and the militant faction Fitna al-Khawarij, which targeted Pakistani military posts in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to official sources, the President was given a detailed briefing on recent security operations, particularly in the Spin Boldak and Kurram sectors. The briefing highlighted how the Pakistan Army successfully thwarted early-morning attacks on three key border positions, killing at least 20 Afghan Taliban fighters. The militants, reportedly using civilians as human shields, also destroyed the symbolic Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate, a move seen by security officials as a clear rejection of peaceful cross-border cooperation.
In a separate overnight assault on the Kurram sector, the Army not only repelled the attack but also obliterated eight Taliban posts and six tanks, eliminating several militants and capturing American-made weaponry. Following these actions, the region is reported to be relatively calm, with troops maintaining high alert across the frontier.
President Zardari expressed full confidence in the operational readiness and professionalism of the armed forces. “Our military has always responded with courage and strategic precision. I have complete trust in their ability to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty,” he said.
He further stated that Pakistan is fully prepared to pay any price to defend its territorial integrity. “The decisive actions taken by our forces demonstrate that Pakistan will never tolerate aggression against its borders,” the President added. “The defence of the nation is in strong, capable, and committed hands.”
The Field Marshal assured the President that the military remains vigilant and fully prepared to neutralise any threats emanating from across the border.
Earlier, President Zardari issued a public condemnation of the Afghan Taliban’s recent attacks, terming them a “clear violation” of Pakistan’s sovereignty. His remarks, broadcast on state television on October 13, reflected growing frustration within Islamabad over repeated provocations by the Taliban regime in Kabul.
“The Taliban have failed to form an inclusive government and continue to monopolise power while ignoring other political and ethnic groups,” Zardari said. “Their consistent violations of the Doha Agreement have created space for terrorist groups to thrive on Afghan soil.”
He labeled the border attacks as unacceptable and warned that any hostile action would be met with a “decisive response.” The President also reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding demand that the Taliban prevent Afghan territory from being used for launching terrorist activities against Pakistan.
Zardari’s statement marks one of the strongest public rebukes yet by Pakistan’s civilian leadership against the Taliban regime, underlining a sharp shift in tone and policy amid deepening border insecurity.
