The issue of cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan is rapidly worsening, complicating the security challenges for Pakistan.

The unelected Taliban regime shows no intention of ending its ties with banned terrorist groups, including TTP, BLA, AQ, ISKP and numerous splinter factions. Surging cross-border attacks and the blatant pro-terrorism stance of Kabul have eventually compelled Islamabad to target terrorist camps located inside Afghanistan.

Instead of acknowledging the seriousness of the situation after Pakistan’s precision strikes on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, the Taliban regime has started responding with drone strikes on civilian sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On 13th March, two drones were even spotted and shot down in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Such provocative actions further substantiate the Taliban’s support for anti-Pakistan terrorist networks. A coordinated disinformation campaign is also being pursued on media platforms aligned with the Indo-Taliban nexus. This disinformation effort revolves around accusing Pakistan of targeting civilians, including children, inside Afghanistan.

Contrary to the Taliban regime’s propaganda, Pakistani counter-terror air operations were precision strikes on verified terrorist hideouts operating from Afghan territory. Targets included infrastructure used by banned groups responsible for cross-border attacks against Pakistan. All operations were planned with the utmost professional care, based on credible intelligence and strikes were directed precisely at terrorist camps, logistics hubs and operational nodes, without harming civilian areas.

The Taliban regime remains unmoved and appears to escalate tensions, as evident from the launch of improvised but inaccurate drones toward civilian areas inside Pakistan. Strikes on populated areas expose the reckless contradiction in the Taliban’s disregard for the safety of non-combatant civilians. Poor-quality drones launched from Afghanistan were successfully shot down without any damage to civic infrastructure. It is evident that the pro-terrorism Kabul regime intends to spread fear among civilians in Pakistan using all notorious terror tactics.

Pakistan has consistently demonstrated restraint and employed utmost precision in targeting terrorist infrastructure. By shielding banned terrorist groups like the TTP and allowing Afghan territory to be used as a launchpad for cross-border terrorism, the Taliban regime has opted to destabilize the region. Symbolic drone provocations cannot hide the fundamental reality: the Taliban provide a permissive environment for multiple terrorist networks threatening regional security. Pakistan cannot allow its civilians, territory or sovereignty to remain under constant threat from terror proxies nurtured by the Indo-Taliban nexus.

Continued provocations will compel Pakistan to expand surgical operations against terrorist infrastructure, training centers and logistical networks operating from Afghan territory. Ironically, Afghanistan under the Taliban has become an epicenter of terror patronage, directly endangering stability across South and Central Asia. If the Taliban leadership continues protecting terrorist networks, Pakistan will be justified in neutralizing command structures, leadership elements and infrastructure enabling this ecosystem.

The future of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan now depends upon the nature of the Taliban’s response to the issue of cross-border terrorism. The message from Pakistan is loud and clear: there will be zero tolerance for terrorism. The ball is now in the court of the Taliban. Continuation of the current unwise pro-terrorism policy could expose the whole region to undesired consequences.

—The writer is a contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.

© Pakistan Observer