Asif says India and Afghanistan support terrorism by proxy; Cites the presence of terrorist groups on Afghan soil
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif in an interview with Voice of America (VoA). SCREENSHOT
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan will not hesitate to carry out further airstrikes inside Afghanistan unless Kabul guarantees peace, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Wednesday, accusing India and Afghanistan of working in tandem against Pakistan through a proxy war led by terrorists.
In an interview with France 24, Asif said the terrorist violence in Pakistan was the result of India-backed terrorism enabled by Kabul’s complicity, saying “almost all franchises of terrorism” were present due to the Afghan government’s inaction.
He said Pakistan retained the option of cross-border action and would exercise it if necessary. “We will not hesitate. If someone in Kabul can guarantee peace, there will be no hostilities, but they continue to patronize and become co-conspirators,” he said, adding that Afghan authorities could not deny responsibility for terrorists operating from their soil.
Referring to last year’s strikes in Afghanistan, Asif said the option remained firmly on the table. He accused Delhi of waging a proxy war after its defeat in a four-day conflict in May, when the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) repelled Indian attempts to violate its territory.
Asif said India, Kabul and terrorist groups were “on the same page” in targeting Pakistan, although India would continue to deny the allegation despite maintaining close relations with Afghan authorities. He stressed that war with India remained “a possibility” under current conditions.
The defense minister said Islamabad had made multiple diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue, including engagements in Istanbul, Doha and Kabul, but the talks had not been successful. According to Asif, Afghan officials acknowledged that elements of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were operating from their territory.
He said Kabul had indirectly admitted that it lacked control over terrorist groups. “We told them, so let’s deal with them,” he said, adding that Pakistan had urged Kabul to allow action against terrorist groups if it could not rein them in itself.
Asif listed several organizations that he said were active on Afghan soil, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, TTP, Islamic State and Daesh, alongside smaller factions. He accused Kabul of offering refuge to these groups.
The remarks followed a deadly suicide attack at the Imambargah Khadijatul Kubra in Islamabad, which killed 36 worshipers and injured around 169 others. Subsequent raids in Nowshera and Peshawar led to the arrest of four facilitators.
Authorities said the Afghan mastermind linked to ISIS was also captured. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the network was trained in Afghanistan.
Situation in Gaza
On the Middle East, Asif said Pakistan was ready to contribute to an international stabilization force in Gaza, provided acceptable terms of reference were established. He highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing role in United Nations peacekeeping missions, describing its participation as a potential opportunity to advance a two-state solution.
“Gaza and Palestine are causes close to our hearts,” he said, highlighting Pakistan’s consistent support for the Palestinians at global forums. He added that involvement in a peace force could help move closer to a viable two-state outcome.
Regarding relations with Israel, Asif ruled out any prospect of normalization unless Palestinians were granted the right to self-determination in their own homeland within a two-state framework, despite several Muslim countries establishing ties with Tel Aviv.
The minister also addressed Pakistan’s internal political dynamics, describing the current system as a “hybrid arrangement” in which national institutions, including the military, work alongside the elected government.
He rejected allegations of military rule, insisting the armed forces were supporting civilian leaders during a period marked by terrorist threats and economic tensions. “There is absolutely no military rule. My boss is the prime minister,” Asif said.
He recognized the historical role of the establishment, while emphasizing that current challenges required institutional cooperation. Asif concluded by saying that Pakistan would continue to face proxy war while remaining open to peace, warning that Kabul’s continued inaction would leave Islamabad with no choice but to respond decisively.
Pakistan has repeatedly warned of an Afghanistan-India nexus behind militant violence, pointing to increasing attacks from across the border. Recent United Nations reports have also noted an increase in TTP operations launched from Afghan territory, reinforcing Islamabad’s long-standing complaints about terrorist sanctuaries.
(WITH NEWS DESK ENTRY)
