Pakistan targeting militant bases, not civilian areas, in Afghanistan: Information Minister

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is targeting terrorist hideouts, not civilian areas, in Afghanistan, said Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday while speaking with foreign correspondents, reported the news agency, APP. 

The information minister said operations are based on accurate intelligence information.

“Pakistan is targeting only the infrastructure of terrorists and their support networks,” he said.

Tarar dismissed the figures presented by Afghanistan's interim government. He said the claims of battlefield victories against Pakistan are “incorrect and merely propaganda.”

The minister denied reports from the Afghan Taliban regime and the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan alleging civilian casualties. He said the UN agency in Kabul relies entirely on information provided by the Taliban government.

He said joint attacks by the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan) confirm a nexus between the interim Afghan government and multiple terrorist organizations operating from Afghan territory.

“All attacks by the Afghan Taliban regime have been responded to promptly and effectively,” Tarar said.

He said that Pakistan has accurately targeted terrorists and their aides, including Afghan Taliban military bases, without striking civilian areas.