Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday categorically warned Kabul to make a clear choice between Pakistan and the Khawarij, saying Afghanistan could not host militants destabilising its neighbour while expecting normal ties with Islamabad, Radio Pakistan reported.
The statement came as the military reported that 12 soldiers were martyred and 35 terrorists linked to the Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij network were killed in two intelligence-based operations carried out in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) between September 10 and 13.
The premier, accompanied by Field Marshal and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, visited Bannu where he chaired a high-level counterterrorism meeting and attended the funeral prayers of 12 soldiers martyred in the South Waziristan operation, according to security officials.
“Pakistan will deliver a befitting riposte to terrorism,” Shehbaz declared, stressing that “there will be no ambiguity or hesitation in it.”
He said the masterminds and facilitators of terrorist attacks in Pakistan are operating from Afghan soil with Indian backing. “Afghanistan has been categorically told it must choose between Islamabad and the Khawarij,” he added.
PM Shehbaz and COAS Asim Munir attend funeral of martyred soldiers in Bannu. (Photo Courtesy: PTV News via X)
The prime minister noted that Afghan nationals had been involved in recent attacks after infiltrating across the border, underscoring the urgency of repatriating undocumented Afghan residents.
Rejecting what he termed the politicisation of terrorism, Shehbaz warned that “those who advocate for Khawarij or facilitate India’s terror proxies are acting as their agents and will be dealt with accordingly.”
He added that the people of K-P united with the state and armed forces “like a Bunyan-un-Marsoos” against Indian-backed proxies. “The government will take all necessary administrative and legal steps for a stronger response to terrorism,” he said.
During the visit, PM Shehbaz and COAS Asim Munir also met injured soldiers at CMH Bannu, while Corps Commander Peshawar briefed them on the regional security situation.
PM Shehbaz and COAS Asim Munir enquires after injured soldiers at CMH Bannu. (Photo Courtesy: PTV News via X)
