Pakistan to take ‘all necessary steps’ to protect its people, military says amid Afghan strike reports

Pakistan’s military has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban government to prevent its soil from being used for terrorism, following reports of cross-border strikes that sent shockwaves through Kabul on Thursday night.

On Thursday, powerful explosions shook central Kabul. The first deafening blast happened around 9:50 p.m. local time (1720 GMT) and was followed by a second explosion a few minutes later.

“The incident is under investigation, but no casualties have been reported yet and everything is fine,” government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on X, adding that further information would be released later.

On social media, several people reported hearing the explosions and seeing drones. In the streets of the capital, numerous security forces were deployed and were searching vehicles, an AFP journalist observed. Mobile telephone service was also disrupted in several neighborhoods.

Responding to a journalist’s question about the reported strikes, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said during a press conference in Peshawar that Pakistan maintains deep cultural and historical ties with Afghanistan but has one core demand — that Afghan soil not be used for terrorism.

“Afghanistan is an Islamic neighboring country and we share cultural and historical ties. We have hosted millions of Afghans over four decades,” Chaudhry said. “We ask them not to allow their soil to be used for terrorism against Pakistan. We have trade with them, our transit trade continues, and Angoor Adda is also operating. Our demand is fair. Their soil should not become a safe haven for terrorism. Is it wrong to ask for this? It is a rational request, it is our right, and we engage them at multiple levels.”

When pressed by a journalist on whether Pakistan had conducted strikes at four locations inside Kabul, the DG ISPR stopped short of confirming the reports but reiterated that Pakistan would act to protect its people.

“I have made it clear that Afghanistan is being used as a base for terrorism and there is proof of this,” he said. “The Pakistani people must be protected, and we will take the necessary steps to ensure their safety.”

‘Status quo will not be tolerated anymore’

The military spokesperson said that the children of intelligence agencies, the army and law enforcement agencies are losing their lives.

“Beautiful young boys are taking bullets up front and dying. This has to end and this status quo will not be tolerated anymore,” he added.

Speaking on the repatriation of Afghan refugees, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan has hosted “our Afghan brothers” for decades, but now the state has decided to send them back.

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“Unfortunately, politics is being done on this issue, and a narrative is being created around it,” he said. “A fake and fabricated narrative is being built against the ongoing operations against terrorism, and martyrs of the Pakistan Army and police are being ridiculed.”

The military spokesperson described this as a “nexus between political and criminal elements,” warning that anyone facilitating militant networks would face consequences.

“A person or group that is facilitating Fitna al-Khawarij has three choices — one, to hand over these terrorists to the state; second, to join hands with state institutions in anti-terror operations; and if both of these options do not work, then they should be ready for action by the state,” he said.

“This status quo will not work anymore,” he warned.

Lt. Gen. Chaudhry said terrorism had increased due to the lack of implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), which was unanimously agreed upon by all political parties to eliminate extremism.

He said the previous government had removed several key points from the plan, weakening the national strategy against terrorism. “Why do we no longer hear voices supporting talks with terrorists?” he asked. “Are we united today on one narrative?”

The DG ISPR said terrorism in the country is backed by internal political elements, adding that India is using Afghanistan as a base to launch terrorist activities against Pakistan. He revealed that 272 Pakistan Army officers and soldiers, 140 police personnel, and 165 civilians have embraced martyrdom in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

“The first point in the 14-point National Action Plan states that terrorists will be eliminated — this is the only point related to kinetic action, and it is being strictly implemented,” he said. “It was also decided that a single national narrative would be developed, and all political parties agreed on it. But are we still standing on that common ground? Don’t we now hear voices calling for talks with these terrorists? Are we truly following the National Action Plan?”

He questioned whether dialogue could resolve all issues. “If talks were the solution to everything, then when India fired missiles on May 6, 7, and 8, why didn’t the nation call for talks then? Does every problem’s solution really lie in negotiations? If talks were the only answer, then you must remember the Battle of Badr.”

Governance failures fueling terrorism in KP

“In the Doha Agreement, it was clearly stated that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorism,” Lt. Gen. Chaudhry said. “In the last three months, 3,984 terror incidents have taken place — and why did 70 percent of them occur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) alone? Why do we not see such incidents in Punjab or Sindh?”

He said it does not mean that terrorists do not want to operate in other provinces. “The reason is that governance in those provinces is intact, law enforcement agencies and police are performing their duties, and there is no political terror-crime nexus operating there,” he explained.

“In our great province of KP, instead of eliminating terrorism through performance, governance, and rule of law, the issue is being given the color of provincialism and politics,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Chaudhry said the army chief has categorically stated that “the gaps in governance are being filled by the martyrs of Pakistan and KP.” He warned that if these governance gaps persist and the National Action Plan — which was agreed upon by all political parties — continues to be ignored, then KP will struggle to rid itself of this menace.

Illegal networks and security challenges

“Behind this terrorism, there exists an illegal spectrum,” the military spokesperson said. “In KP, 10,087 cases have been registered, with 679 convictions. Cases involving illegal weapons stand at 33,389, with 6,945 convictions. This is the actual empirical status.”

He said that 4,355 madaris (religious seminaries) have been registered in KP so far — making up 55 percent — while the rest remain unregistered. “When you ask why terrorism is not ending, then also give me the answers to these questions,” he said.

“In 2014, it was decided that Afghan migrants would be repatriated, and the government reiterated the same decision in 2021. Then why is there now a narrative that they should not be sent back?”

“When you say that peace has been restored in Afghanistan and we request them to return, politics is done on this issue and misleading statements are issued — despite the fact that it was you who made this decision.”

Rising threats and the way forward

Lt. Gen. Chaudhry reiterated that Pakistan’s military has acted with restraint but will not compromise national security. He said the army and law enforcement agencies continue to conduct counterterrorism operations nationwide, especially in KP and Balochistan, to eliminate militants and their facilitators.

He added that Pakistan continues to share intelligence and communicate with Afghan authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure regional peace.

The military spokesperson emphasized that unity among political parties, effective governance, and the consistent implementation of the National Action Plan are crucial to overcoming the ongoing wave of terrorism.