ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said New Delhi is fomenting a low-intensity conflict against Pakistan from Afghan territory.
In an interview with Al Arabiya, the defence minister said India is supporting the Afghan Taliban and acting through them as a proxy. He added there is evidence of links between New Delhi and the Taliban leadership.
He said clashes in Pakistan and Afghanistan coincided with a visit by a Taliban minister to India, and that Pakistan responded firmly to Taliban aggression. “In exchanges with the Afghan Taliban our forces suffered casualties,” he said, noting that several Pakistani soldiers were killed in those clashes.
Speaking about recent military encounters with India, the defence minister claimed India suffered setbacks a few months ago, including the downing of seven aircraft, and said the U.S. president has referred to those events on multiple occasions. He reiterated these points during the Al Arabiya interview.
Asif issued a clear warning to Kabul that if Afghan territory is used to launch attacks against Pakistan, Islamabad will not remain passive. “We have always sought peace, but if Kabul chooses the path of confrontation, Pakistan is fully capable of responding,” he said.
He also reminded the Taliban regime of prior warnings that if the group allowed itself to be influenced by Delhi, the consequences would be grave. “If necessary, we will respond even deep inside Afghanistan,” Asif said, adding that Pakistan has made sincere efforts to keep relations with Afghanistan peaceful but will respond robustly if Afghan soil becomes a base for attacks against Pakistan.
