Afghanistan urges Pakistan to halt ‘heavy counteraction’: security sources

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR: Afghanistan has requested Pakistan to halt its “heavy counteraction” after the Pakistan Army launched a strong and sustained response to unprovoked cross-border firing from Afghan forces, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital.

According to the sources, Afghan troops carried out unprovoked firing late Saturday night across multiple points along the Pak-Afghan border, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan, allegedly to facilitate the infiltration of Khawarij formations, a faction Islamabad identifies as Indian-sponsored proxies of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistan Army positions responded with full force using artillery, tanks, and aerial assets, effectively targeting Afghan military posts and militant hideouts.

“A strong and decisive response from the Pakistan Army against Afghan forces is ongoing. Afghan forces are in a state of panic due to the intense retaliation,” security sources said. “Several Afghan posts have been abandoned as a result of heavy losses.”

“Afghan soldiers fled, leaving behind multiple bodies at their posts following Pakistan’s effective and intense response.”

Security sources confirmed that Afghanistan has formally requested Pakistan to halt its counteraction, as Pakistani forces continue to target positions linked to Khawarij and Daesh elements operating from Afghan territory.

The sources further revealed that Pakistani forces employed a combination of precision artillery and drone strikes to destroy multiple Afghan posts. “The Army’s timely and decisive action has neutralized key militant hideouts under the protection of Afghan authorities,” one official added.

District administration officials confirmed that several missiles were fired from the Afghan side targeting civilian areas across the border, prompting Pakistan’s “measured but powerful” military response to protect its citizens.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned Afghanistan’s unprovoked firing, calling it a “blatant violation of international law.”

“Pakistan’s brave forces have shown, with an immediate and effective response, that any provocation will not be tolerated,” Naqvi said.

“Our forces are vigilant, and Afghanistan is being answered brick for brick. The fire and blood being played out from Afghanistan have links to our perennial enemy,” he added, referring to India.

“Afghanistan will be given a strong, decisive response, just as India was, so it will not dare cast a covetous eye toward Pakistan,” the minister warned.

Defence analyst Hassan Khan told Pakistan TV that the current Afghan behavior reflected a deep betrayal of Pakistan’s long-standing support.

“Pakistan hosted millions of Afghans for decades. Now, their behavior has completely changed,” Khan said. “Afghanistan is harbouring and providing hideouts to groups like the TTP, BLA, and Majeed Brigade. Their forces are now giving cover to Fitna al-Khawarij to harm Pakistan.”

Another analyst, Agha Iqrar, stressed that Pakistan must reassess its Afghan strategy.

“The Afghan Taliban are not only hosting, harbouring, and funding TTP and Fitna al-Khawarij, but more than 42 militant groups are operating from Afghan soil,” he noted. “Pakistan must take decisive action and redefine its Afghan policy.”

Taliban officials in Kunar, Nangarhar, Paktia, Khost, and Helmand confirmed to AFP that clashes were ongoing along several points of the border.

The escalation follows two days after a deadly terrorist attack on the Police Training School in Dera Ismail Khan, in which six policemen, including trainees, embraced martyrdom. According to ISPR, the members of “Fitna al-Khawarij” rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the facility but were eliminated after an intense firefight.

In the wake of the rising tensions, Saudi Arabia and Iran have both called for restraint and dialogue.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a statement by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said:

“The Kingdom is following with concern the tensions and clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. We urge both sides to exercise self-restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritize dialogue and wisdom to preserve regional stability.”

“Saudi Arabia reaffirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at strengthening peace and prosperity for the two brotherly Pakistani and Afghan peoples.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed similar concern, urging both countries to resolve their differences peacefully.

“Iran is closely monitoring developments and calls on both sides to engage diplomatically to prevent further escalation,” an Iranian spokesperson said in Tehran. “Peace and cooperation must prevail over confrontation.”

Security officials in Islamabad reiterated that Pakistan remains resolute in defending its sovereignty.

“Any future aggression or attempt to aid terrorist infiltration will be met with a strong and immediate response,” one senior source emphasized.