Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the Taliban regime in Afghanistan recently launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan at India’s behest as the neighbouring countries faced heightened tensions.
Addressing the federal cabinet meeting on Pak-Afghan border tensions on Thursday, the premier said that the attacks occurred when Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was on a visit to India.
The Taliban forces and India-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), alias Fitna al-Khawarij, resorted to an unprovoked attack on Pakistan on Sunday.
Pakistan Armed Forces gave a befitting response to the aggression, killing over 200 Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants in a self-defence action. The military’s media wing said that 23 soldiers embraced martyrdom in the clashes with the Taliban forces and the terrorists.
Later, at the request of the Afghan Taliban regime, and with mutual consent, Pakistan and the Taliban agreed to a temporary ceasefire for 48 hours, effective from October 15.
Chairing the federal cabinet meeting today, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan was ready to hold talks with the Taliban regime on reasonable terms. “Now the ball is in the Taliban regime’s court for a permanent ceasefire,” he added.
“Unfortunately, despite all efforts, [Taliban regime in] Afghanistan did not prioritise peace and adopted the path of aggression,” the premier said.
Pakistan had to launch a full-scale retaliatory action as patience had run out after the recent events, he said, while referring to rising incidents of cross-border terrorism.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
