Pakistan intends to conduct anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan

Pakistan intends to conduct an anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

“We are ready to provide assistance to Afghanistan and will act in accordance with international law in order to protect ourselves,” he stressed.

According to him, anti-terrorist operations in Afghanistan can be undertaken by Pakistan “in the absence of action by the Afghan authorities against extremists.”

In addition, Bhutto-Zardari added that such activities of the Pakistani security forces are considered as one of the means of countering terrorism, but are not the main means.

“Pakistan hopes that the interim government of Afghanistan will continue combating terrorism and keep its promise to prevent the use of Afghan territory for terrorist purposes,” the diplomat stated.

It is noted that the statement of the Foreign Minister was made against the backdrop of an increase in the number of terrorist attacks in the country over the past few months.

The most recent was a suicide bombing in Bajaur district on 30 July that killed 54 people. Islamabad blames Afghan-based militants belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for the attacks.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, 18 suicide attacks took place in the country in the first 7 months of 2023, killing more than 200 people and injuring over 450.