FO rejects India’s criticism, reiterates right to self-defence; calls for action against militant groups operating from Afghan soil
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday said that recent air strikes inside Afghanistan were conducted to ensure the safety of Pakistani citizens and to thwart imminent terrorist attacks, describing the operation as intelligence-based and proportionate.Speaking at the weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region was aimed at preventing planned attacks against law enforcement personnel and civilians, particularly those residing near border areas.Pakistan carried out overnight strikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province and Paktika Province over the weekend. An official had earlier stated that more than 80 militants were killed in what marked the most extensive military engagement between the two countries since border clashes erupted in October last year.Responding to questions about civilian casualties and the scale of the operation, Andrabi stressed that the strikes were conducted with “utmost caution” to avoid harm to non-combatants.“These actions were proportional, based on careful planning with necessary due diligence, and directed solely against identified terrorist camps and hideouts,” he said.The spokesperson recalled recent statements by the United Nations Security Council condemning terrorist attacks against Pakistan, including the February 6 attack on an imambargah in Islamabad.
He noted that the UNSC had repeatedly called for holding perpetrators, organisers and sponsors of terrorism accountable, urging states to cooperate with Pakistan.Andrabi maintained that Pakistan remains committed to regional peace but would take “all necessary measures” in exercise of its right to self-defence against terrorist threats emanating from Afghan territory. He added that Islamabad had conveyed its position to international stakeholders and called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to fulfil their obligations.On the question of locations and casualty figures, the FO spokesperson referred to the February 21 statement issued by the Ministry of Information, saying there was nothing further to add.
India’s Reaction Rejected
The FO also rejected a statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemning Pakistan’s strikes.Andrabi said the Indian statement vindicated Pakistan’s long-standing position that India continues to aid and abet terrorism in Pakistan through support for the Balochistan Liberation Army and other groups.“Pakistan holds concrete evidence of India’s involvement in sponsoring and abetting terrorism,” he asserted, adding that recent statements from New Delhi further reinforced this conclusion.He also expressed concern over strengthening defence ties between India and Israel, saying Pakistan remained vigilant about systems and platforms that could pose threats to its security and sovereignty. He reiterated that Pakistan maintained robust military preparedness to deter any aggression.
No Structured Dialogue with Kabul
Responding to another query, Andrabi said he was not aware of any structured dialogue currently underway between Pakistan and Afghanistan.On whether Qatar was playing a mediatory role, the spokesperson said the issue may have been discussed broadly during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Doha. He noted that the prime minister and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani had exchanged views on regional developments and emphasised dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.“To that extent, we would welcome Qatar’s role in settling all these issues, including Afghanistan,” he said.
Call for Justice in Samjhota Express Case
Marking the 19th anniversary of the Samjhota Express bombing, Andrabi expressed disappointment over what he termed India’s failure to deliver justice to the victims’ families.On February 18, 2007, two bombs exploded aboard the Samjhota Express train travelling from Delhi to Lahore, killing 68 people, including 44 Pakistanis.The FO criticised what it described as the “shameless acquittal and exoneration” of the accused, alleging that extremist ideologies had motivated the attack. Andrabi demanded a fair trial for the perpetrators and said the victims’ families deserved justice.He added that India’s handling of the case undermined its claims regarding terrorism and reflected what he called duplicity in its approach to counterterrorism issues.
