ISPR to Afghan Taliban: Pakistan to continue neutralizing terror targets

RAWALPINDI: More than 200 Afghan Taliban and the terrorists they sponsor were killed as Pakistan used the right to self-defence after they launched an unprovoked attack, said the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday — an aggression that coincided with Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India.

It also warned the Afghan Taliban interim government that “Pakistan will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by persistent neutralization of terror targets,” if it fails to act against the terrorist organisations operating from Afghanistan.

On the other hand, the ISPR said the latest episode also vindicated “Pakistan’s long-standing position that the [Afghan] Taliban government is actively facilitating the terrorists”.

Read more: Pakistan warns of terrorist threat emanating from Afghanistan

On the night between Saturday and Sunday, the ISPR said, “Afghan Taliban and Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij [FAK] launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan, along the Pak-Afghan border”.

“The cowardly action, which included fire and few physical raids, was aimed at destabilizing the border areas to facilitate terrorism, furthering FAK’s nefarious designs.”

Pakistan uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK) to describe all the terrorists groups — TTP and others — that use religion as a pretext to justify terrorism.

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Similarly, Fitna al-Hindustan (FAH) encompasses the banned terrorist groups operating in Balochistan under active Indian patronage.

On the other hand, 23 soldiers embraced martyrdom “while defending territorial integrity of our beloved country against this outrageous action”, the ISPR said, adding that 29 soldiers were also injured.

“According to credible intelligence estimates and damage assessment, more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized while the number of injured is much higher,” the military’s media wing said.

RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENCE

The ISPR mentioned the right to self-defence granted under the UN Charter as it shared the details of the border skirmishes.

“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 Khawarij.”

Sharing the details to the Pakistani response, the ISPR said the “Taliban camps and posts” as well as “terrorists training facilities and support networks” were targeted inside Afghanistan.

Read more: China, Pakistan will work to crack down on terrorism

“Precision fires and strikes, as well as physical raids were directed against Taliban camps and posts, terrorist training facilities and support networks operating from Afghan territory, including elements linked to Fitna al Khawarij (FAK), Fitna al Hindustan (FAH) and ISKP/ Daesh.”

About the effectiveness of the retaliatory action, the ISPR said “multiple Taliban locations were destroyed all along the border”.

In this connection, “21 hostile positions on the Afghan side of border were also briefly physically captured and multiple terrorist training camps, used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan, were rendered inoperative”, the military’s media wing said.

TERRORISM EMANATING FROM AFGHAN SOIL

At the same time, the ISPR discussed the issue of Afghanistan becoming a terrorism hotbed and the connection between the Afghan Taliban and different terrorist groups.

It said “the people of Pakistan prefer constructive diplomacy and dialogue over violence and belligerence, we will not tolerate the treacherous use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan.”

With Muttaqi visiting India to receive a “grand reception”, the ISPR went to say, “We have noted with concern that this serious provocation has occurred during the visit of Taliban Foreign Minister to India – the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region.”

About the future line of action, the military’s media wing urged the Afghan Taliban “to take immediate and verifiable actions to neutralize the terrorist groups” operating from their territory.

“Otherwise, Pakistan will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by persistent neutralization of terror targets.”

PAKISTAN VINDICATED

Islamabad has been consistent in its stance that Afghanistan has become an epicenter of terrorism and the ISPR reiterated this stance.

“Last night’s episode vindicates Pakistan’s long-standing position that the Afghan Taliban government is actively facilitating the terrorists.”

It went on to warn Kabul of the serious consequences as Pakistan is determined to defend its interests, security and territorial integrity.

That’s why the ISPR said, “If the Taliban government continues to sponsor terrorist outfits, in cohorts with India, for 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.”

It’s a developing story. Details to follow.