As Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry neither confirmed nor denied Pakistani involvement in alleged strikes on Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) assets in Afghanistan, the Foreign Office has also refrained from commenting on reports of said strikes.
According to reports, the FO, much like the military spokesperson, also only reaffirmed the country’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its citizens through intelligence-based counterterrorism operations along the border.
In his weekly news briefing, FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that all he could say for now was that Pakistan reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the security and well-being of its people.
“Our security forces and law enforcement agencies conduct targeted operations in border regions to safeguard our citizens from terrorist threats, particularly those posed by groups such as Fitna al-Khwarij or the TTP. These operations are meticulously planned based on credible and actionable intelligence and executed with precision,” he said.
He pointed out that Pakistan respected the sovereignty of Afghanistan and remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation with others in the region to address the shared challenges of terrorism.
“Pakistan has consistently prioritised diplomacy, even in the face of persistent threats emanating from terrorist hideouts and sanctuaries inside Afghanistan. We urge the Afghan authorities to ensure that their territory is not used as a launch pad for terrorist activities against Pakistan. Groups like TTP represent a common threat to the peace and stability of our region, necessitating collective action to counter their malignant influence,” the FO spokesperson said.
He added that Islamabad believed that Kabul should be able to reclaim its sovereignty and security and terrorist groups like TTP need to be combated robustly.
Khan said that the question of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan was a constant part of all interactions and dialogues with the authorities in Kabul.
“We have been impressing upon the seriousness of this issue and from the prime minister to the level of senior officials, we have articulated our position very clearly and firmly,” he said.
Earlier, the military also neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the alleged strikes in Afghanistan.
At least two explosions followed by gunfire were heard in Kabul late Thursday night. Said reports were followed by claims of strikes on multiple TTP camps by unidentified aircraft in different areas of the country.
As foreign outlets hinted at possible Pakistani involvement over repeated warnings against the use of Afghan soil for terror on this side of the border, it was announced that ISPR chief will address a press conference at 2:30 pm on Friday.
Addressing the presser, Lt Gen Sharif neither confirmed nor denied if the strikes were carried out by Pakistan.
While he did not mention the strikes during the brief – instead focusing on the surge in terror and facilitation of militants – he went on to reiterate that Pakistan’s armed would never compromise on the security of the country or its people, when asked about any role that Pakistan may or may not have played in last night’s action.
He also did not confirm if TTP commander Noor Wali Mehsud was eliminated.