Pakistan is creating tension with Afghanistan yet again. Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of allowing its territory to be used against Pakistan. Pakistan referenced the attack that resulted in the deaths of 11 Pakistani soldiers, asserting the attack was mounted from Afghan soil.
Using stern language, Pakistan has warned Afghanistan that they have the right to safeguard their security by addressing and eliminating any 'terrorist' groups or their accomplices, regardless of their location.
On Monday, attackers in the Bajaur region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa collided a vehicle laden with explosives into a security checkpoint, resulting in the deaths of 11 soldiers and one civilian.
Pakistan issues Demarche
The demarche was released on Wednesday afternoon, according to a press release from the Foreign Ministry. The Afghan mission's Deputy Head was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.
A demarche is an official statement, protest, or demand issued by one country's government to another, frequently conveyed by an ambassador.
In its demarche, Pakistan firmly condemned the car suicide attack on security posts by TTP in Bajaur, referring to it as a 'fitna al-khawarij' act.
Concerns were raised by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry regarding the TTP leadership's presence in Afghanistan, operating with impunity from Afghan soil.
The Authority to Eliminate Khawarij
The Ministry said that although the Afghan Taliban government has repeatedly assured Pakistan of action, no clear, decisive steps have been taken.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has demanded the Afghan Taliban government take immediate, substantive, and verifiable steps against all terrorist groups operating from their region, including leadership.
It was clearly communicated to the Afghan Taliban that "Pakistan holds the authority to secure its military, civilians, and borders by responding to and eliminating any khawarij affiliates, wherever they are."
PAK will not hesitate to strike Afghanistan again
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has openly stated that if Kabul does not assure peace, Pakistan is prepared to launch another attack. Khawaja Asif emphasized that Pakistan will not hesitate to initiate new attacks on Afghanistan until guarantees of peace emanate from Kabul.
Pakistan often accuses the Afghan government of failing to prevent militants from using Afghan territory to launch attacks in Pakistan. In contrast, the Afghan Taliban refutes such allegations and highlights the need for Pakistan to manage its security affairs internally.
