Defence Minister Khawaja Asif: Pakistan Won’t Hesitate to Conduct Airstrikes in Afghanistan if Needed; Tensions with India Persist
Islamabad (Qudrat Daily) – Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan are the result of a proxy war orchestrated by the Taliban and India, and Pakistan will not hesitate to conduct airstrikes inside Afghanistan if necessary.
In an interview with a French media outlet, Khawaja Asif was asked whether Pakistan would continue operations inside Afghan territories such as Kabul and Kandahar. He responded that Pakistan always has the option to take such action and will not shy away from it. He clarified that if Kabul can guarantee peace, there will be no conflict, but in reality, Afghanistan provides support and shelter to hostile groups.
Khawaja Asif said that groups like the banned TTP, ISIS, and other terrorist organizations are operating from Afghanistan, and attacks on Pakistan cannot occur without the consent or backing of Kabul. He added that the Afghan authorities bear responsibility for any hostile actions originating from their soil.
The Defence Minister also mentioned that efforts by friendly countries to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including meetings in Istanbul, Doha, and Kabul, have so far yielded no results.
**Possibility of Conflict with India Remains**
Khawaja Asif stated that the possibility of war with India still exists. He referenced the four-day conflict with India last May, claiming that Pakistan’s forces successfully repelled Indian advances, highlighting India’s international embarrassment at the hands of a smaller nation both geographically and militarily. He added that Pakistan’s Air Force has successfully countered all attempts to violate its airspace, while direct or indirect contacts with India remain limited.
**Support for Gaza and Palestine**
On the issue of Gaza, Khawaja Asif said that the situation is close to the hearts of Pakistanis. He highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing participation in UN peacekeeping missions and its consistent support for Palestine on all international forums, emphasizing the country’s solidarity with the Palestinian people.
