Afghanistan’s acting Defense Minister, Mullah Yaqoob, has issued a strong warning regarding escalating tensions with Pakistan. In a recent interview with TOLO News, he stated that if Kabul were targeted, Afghanistan would respond by striking Islamabad.
Yaqoob emphasized that Afghanistan does not seek war but warned that if conflict is imposed, the country is prepared to fight for a long time. He also claimed that Afghan forces inflicted heavy losses on Pakistani troops in retaliation for the killing of an Afghan citizen.
Pakistan’s Operations and TTP Concerns
Despite the statements from Kabul, reports indicate that Pakistan has recently conducted military operations targeting militant hideouts along the border. According to security sources, Pakistani forces reportedly killed more than 500 Afghan fighters and successfully struck dozens of positions during the recent escalation.
Several key commanders linked to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were also reportedly killed, and their hideouts were destroyed during these operations. Pakistan has repeatedly demanded that Afghan authorities take action against TTP militants allegedly operating from Afghan territory.
International Concerns Over Militancy
International organizations, including the United Nations, have previously raised concerns that militant groups continue to operate from Afghanistan. Security analysts believe that Yaqoob’s remarks indicate that Kabul remains reluctant to fully eliminate such groups from its territory.
Experts argue that continued tensions and accusations between the two neighbors could further destabilize the region if diplomatic efforts fail to address the underlying security concerns.
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