Afghanistan’s acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has warned Pakistan that Kabul will not tolerate any act of aggression, adding that their patience should not be mistaken as their weakness. Haqqani warned that if the country’s patience was tested again, it would deliver a strong and decisive response.
He said protecting Afghanistan’s territory remains a top priority, but also noted that the country is still open to dialogue. Haqqani added that Afghanistan has faced powerful enemies in the past and would have no difficulty defending its land if attacked.
Haqqani further added that Afghanistan may not have long-range missiles or heavy weapons, but it has strong determination to fight against any aggression, as per TOLOnews. Without directly naming Pakistan, he accused certain countries of violating the sovereignty of others to protect their own interests. Haqqani noted that Afghans have repeatedly proven their strength on the battlefield and warned that any further provocation would be met with a severe response.
Pakistan-Afghanistan agree to ceasefire
Haqqani’s comments came soon after Turkey announced that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to maintain a ceasefire following several days of tense talks in Istanbul, mediated by Turkey and Qatar. The ceasefire, confirmed on Thursday, aims to prevent further border clashes that have recently caused the deaths of both soldiers and civilians. Both countries are expected to meet again in Istanbul on November 6 to finalise a monitoring system with penalties for any violations.
Despite this progress, the border between the two nations remains closed, leaving hundreds of trucks and refugees stranded on both sides. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Kabul remains committed to resolving disputes through diplomacy and wants relations built on mutual respect, non-interference, and peaceful coexistence.
What Pak Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said
According to a news report published in The Dawn, Pak Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said, “Let me assure them that Pakistan does not require to employ even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regime and push them back to the caves for hiding.”
When asked whether Afghanistan could face a repeat of the 2001 Tora Bora offensive, the Pakistani minister agreed, saying that if the Taliban provoked Pakistan, they could once again face a similar defeat that would serve as a clear warning for the entire region.
India fully committed to Afghanistan’s sovereignty: MEA
India on Thursday voiced strong support for Afghanistan amid its ongoing border tensions with Pakistan, saying that Islamabad’s actions promoting cross-border terrorism without consequences are unacceptable to neighbouring countries.
New Delhi’s statement came as peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul remained stalled, with both sides struggling to reach a peaceful resolution to their conflict.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan was angered by Afghanistan asserting control over its own territory and appeared to believe it had the right to carry out cross-border terrorism freely. He added that such behaviour is not acceptable to any of Pakistan’s neighbours and reaffirmed India’s full support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.
What is the military conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan?
The conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan began earlier this month while Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was visiting India.
It started after Pakistan carried out an airstrike on Kabul, prompting a strong response from Afghanistan that caused tensions to rise further.On October 19, both countries agreed to a ceasefire after Qatar and Turkey helped mediate the talks.
However, even after the ceasefire took effect, clashes between Pakistani forces and the Pakistani Taliban continued in some areas along the border, leading both sides to hold more discussions.
