Islamabad (TDI): Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned on Tuesday that strikes against terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan could not be ruled out, after a deadly day of attacks that rocked the federal capital Islamabad and Wana, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
At least 12 people were killed and 36 injured in a suicide blast outside the Islamabad district and sessions courts. The explosion struck a city that was hosting several high‑profile events, including the Inter‑Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference and the Margalla Dialogue, while a cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was under way in Rawalpindi.
Simultaneously, security forces conducted a clearance operation at Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, where militants were reported to be holed up inside the institution.
Speaking on Geo News’ “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,” Asif said Pakistan had been pushed to action by the day’s violence and added that military responses into Afghan territory were possible. “God willing,” he said, when asked whether Pakistan would retaliate, and warned that attacks on sanctuaries across the border “could not be ruled out.”
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Asif accused factions within Afghanistan of sheltering militants and said that Kabul lacked a unified government. He argued that different groups in Afghanistan pursue divergent agendas and said some elements have ties with India. “This, I believe, is a prelude to aggression being waged against us through Afghanistan,” he said, insisting that large numbers of militants had been infiltrated into Pakistan over the last year.
The defense minister said Pakistan has repeatedly asked the Afghan Taliban to stop terror operations from Afghan soil but could no longer rely on verbal assurances. He claimed that as many as 55 percent of militants killed in recent operations were Afghan nationals and warned that Islamabad would respond “in kind” if attacks continued.
Asked about a separate blast in New Delhi and possible Indian reactions, Asif predicted New Delhi might try to pin blame on Pakistan. At the same time, he sought to reassure neighbours and the international community that Pakistan had no desire to start a wider conflict. The country, he said, remains focused on economic recovery and cannot afford to be drawn into an avoidable war.
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Asif also cautioned that India might stage a provocation ahead of the second phase of Bihar elections, calling such a move “a stark possibility.” He reiterated that Pakistan remained on high alert following the May clashes between the two countries and would intensify hot‑pursuit operations, including cross‑border physical and aerial responses, against militants who attempt to use Afghan territory as a base.
