The Afghan Defence Ministry released a statement on Tuesday rejecting the “provocative and baseless” allegations made by Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, wherein he accused Afghanistan of housing the Tehreek-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan (TTP).
The government release instead noted that there is evidence to show that TTP operates from Pakistan.
It further said that Sanaullah’s comments could damage the “good relations” between the neighbouring countries. To this end, the Taliban administration demanded that all concerns and problems be resolved “through understanding.”
Afghanistan is not without its owner, as always, we are ready to defend the territorial integrity and independence of our homeland, and it is mentionable we have a better experience than anyone in defending and protecting our country.
— د ملي دفاع وزارت - وزارت دفاع ملی (@MoDAfghanistan2) January 2, 2023
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Responding to Sanaullah’s threats to initiate a “clearance operation” in areas neighbouring Afghanistan, the Taliban warned that Kabul “is not without its owners” and is ready to defend its “territorial integrity and independence.” It further iterated that “we have a better experience than anyone in defending and protecting our country.”
Previously, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stressed that “the right to attack another nation’s territory” was not stipulated in international law. He reassured that countries can share their concerns with the Taliban as it has “sufficient forces and can take action.”
RANA SANAULLAH’S COMMENTS
The Pakistani Minister ignited this heated back-and-forth exchange during an interview with Express TV last week. He asked the Taliban to “eliminate” the group’s “hideouts” and hand the militants over to Islamabad.
However, if these efforts fail, he noted that international laws entail the “right to target” countries if attacked. To this end, he warned that Pakistan could “target the TTP in Afghanistan” if the Taliban does not act to “dismantle” the group.
Discussing the details of the developments in the National Security Committee’s (NSC) — Pakistan’s main foreign policy and national security body — Friday meeting, he said that the officials had decided to respond with “full force” against those who threaten the country.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that the number of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan fighters in the region was between 7,000 to 10,000, adding that some of the militants who had previously laid down arms have now secretly resumed activities.https://t.co/OxEPDWf8Zy
— Roohan Ahmed (@Roohan_Ahmed) December 28, 2022
“There was an understanding in the NSC’s meeting that there is no other option but to opt for a clearance operation,” he declared.
The NSC also held a meeting on Monday, following which they released a statement stressing that Pakistan’s security is “uncompromisable.” It also restored its provincial committees to empower law enforcement agencies and counter-terrorism departments to take expeditious action.
Amid these concerns, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on the same day that Afghan soil continues to be used for activities against Pakistan despite the Taliban’s promises.
He also addressed concerns about the increasing violations and cross-border shootings along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan and reassured that the administration is “in constant contact” with the Taliban.
SUDDEN RISE IN TTP-LED ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN
Pakistan has seen an uptick in incidents of violence since the TTP decided to end its ceasefire with the Pakistani government in November, following which it called on its workers across the country to orchestrate attacks on security officials.
The Taliban led a large number of these attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. In 2022, the group orchestrated 115 attacks, most of which occurred after August. In fact, there was a 44% rise in violence from November to December, during which 49 attacks killed 56 people, including 32 security personnel, with 81 others injured.
Infographic: The outlawed TTP releases its yearly report, giving details of the attacks claimed by it across Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/u2thlNLrQQ
— Roohan Ahmed (@Roohan_Ahmed) December 31, 2022
While the TTP has “ideological linkages” with the Taliban, both groups allege that they operate separately. However, Pakistan has maintained that the TTP is its “red-line,” further warning that Islamabad’s relations with Kabul will be severely affected if the Taliban supports the group.
Apart from the TTP, Pakistan has also seen a surge in ISIS and Gul Bahadur group-led attacks.
Against this backdrop, several countries have issued warnings and travel advisories for their citizens residing in Pakistan or intending to visit Pakistan, advising them to exercise caution amid a recent uptick in violent attacks across the country. The list includes Saudi Arabia, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.