The Pakistan Army has said that India has become the principal facilitator of terrorism in the region, stressing that Pakistan will never allow Afghan territory to be used for terrorist activities against it.

In a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military said that the Taliban government’s recent actions pose a serious threat to regional peace.

It warned Kabul against attempting to destabilise the region in collusion with India, adding that Pakistan’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.

“If the terrorists and Taliban do not desist from their hostile activities, Pakistan will continue its decisive operations against them,” the statement read.

The ISPR called upon the Taliban’s interim administration to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorist groups operating from its soil, stating that the people and state of Pakistan will not remain silent until terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is completely eradicated.

The statement further said that while Pakistan remains committed to peace in the region, it will not tolerate the use of Afghan territory for terrorism.

“Efforts to sabotage peace through collusion between the Taliban regime and India will be foiled,” it added.

Expressing deep concern over the Taliban government’s conduct, the ISPR noted that the recent provocation occurred at a time when the Taliban’s acting foreign minister was on a visit to India — a coincidence that raises serious questions.

The military said that on the night between October 11 and 12, Afghan Taliban fighters and Indian-sponsored militants belonging to the Fitna Al Khawarij network launched an unprovoked attack along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

In response, Pakistan’s forces inflicted heavy casualties and material losses on the attackers.

According to ISPR, Pakistan’s brave soldiers effectively countered the assault, killing more than 200 Afghan Taliban and militants in retaliatory strikes.

Twenty-three Pakistani soldiers were martyred and 29 others injured in the exchange of fire.

To minimise civilian harm and collateral damage, all possible precautions were taken, the statement said, adding that a large number of Taliban fighters and militants were also wounded.

The Pakistan Army said that its soldiers had successfully seized control of 21 Afghan positions during the counter-offensive.