Islamabad, Pakistan — Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a strong warning regarding potential attacks on Afghan territory amid escalating tensions between the two nations over security concerns.

Asif emphasized that if necessary, Pakistan would not hesitate to take action to protect its sovereignty, including launching cross-border attacks.

He highlighted that the use of Afghan soil for exporting terrorism and providing safe havens for perpetrators poses a threat to Pakistan's interests.

Furthermore, Asif ruled out the possibility of engaging in any dialogue with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistan Taliban, citing a lack of common ground for discussion.

Pakistan recently announced a new military operation called Azm-e-Istehkam to address the escalating violence triggered by the TTP's actions since November 2022.

The TTP, established in 2007 and sharing ideological alignment with the Afghan Taliban, advocates for specific changes in Pakistan’s northwest tribal regions and stricter enforcement of Islamic laws.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused armed groups of launching attacks from Afghan soil, which it claims are facilitated by the ruling Afghan Taliban regime, leading to strained relations and border disputes between the two countries.

Despite the tense relations, Pakistan expressed its willingness to engage with Afghanistan, as demonstrated by its participation in United Nations-hosted talks with the Afghan Taliban in Qatar.

However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential ramifications of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam on Pakistan's relations with the Afghan Taliban and its effectiveness in reducing violence in the region.

Recent data shows a surge in violent incidents in Pakistan, with numerous fatalities, primarily among law enforcement personnel, escalating the need for security measures.

While efforts have been made to address security concerns through diplomatic visits and operations, mutual distrust between Pakistan and Afghanistan persists, complicating the resolution of cross-border security issues.

Researchers warn that the close ties between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban pose challenges to addressing the Pakistan Taliban issue effectively.

Despite Pakistan's operations against the TTP, concerns remain about the potential backlash and impact on regional stability.