Pakistan\’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that the country will not hesitate to launch attacks on Afghan territory if necessary, amid rising tensions between the two nations over security concerns. Asif stated that Pakistan\’s sovereignty is paramount and will be protected at all costs. He also rejected the possibility of dialogue with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an armed group accused of launching attacks from across the border.

The warning comes as Pakistan launches a renewed military operation, Azm-e-Istehkam, to curb escalating violence since November 2022. Pakistan has accused armed groups of launching attacks from Afghanistan, where it says the ruling Afghan Taliban provides them with a safe haven. The Taliban denies these allegations.

Relations between the two neighbors have deteriorated significantly in the past two years, with numerous border skirmishes and closures of border crossings. Despite this, Pakistan insists it remains engaged in Afghanistan\’s future and will attend UN-hosted talks with the Afghan Taliban in Qatar.

However, experts warn that the military operation could have negative consequences for Pakistan\’s relations with the Afghan Taliban and may not achieve the goal of reducing violence.