Zardari, Field Marshal Munir discuss border tensions, vow to defend sovereignty

• Army chief briefs president on internal and external security amid rising Pakistan-Afghanistan border tensions
• President lauds armed forces’ professionalism, saying Pakistan will defend its territorial integrity ‘at all costs’
• Condemns cross-border attacks, calls them a “blatant violation” of sovereignty and the Doha Accord

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir discussed the prevailing internal and external security situation amid heightened border tensions with Afghanistan during a meeting held at the Presidency, according to a statement from the President’s Secretariat.

The meeting came hours after security forces repelled a cross-border attack by Afghan Taliban fighters along the Balochistan border, killing 15 to 20 attackers, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The fresh clashes marked the third major skirmish within a week, following Tuesday night’s incident in Kurram and earlier fighting that began late Saturday and continued into Sunday at multiple border points.

PRESIDENT’S SECRETARIAT
(Media Wing)

Press Release

President and Field Marshal Discuss Internal and External Security Situation

ISLAMABAD, October 15, 2025: Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr… pic.twitter.com/4FwTALvQrU

— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) October 15, 2025

The statement from the President’s Secretariat said Field Marshal Munir briefed the president on Pakistan’s overall security landscape and the recent situation arising from “the aggressive and provocative actions of the Afghan Taliban regime.” It added that the army chief also detailed the “measured and befitting response” of Pakistan’s armed forces.

President Zardari reaffirmed that Pakistan would defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs, expressing full confidence in the “strength, valour, capacity, and preparedness” of the armed forces.

He lauded their “vigilance and professionalism” in swiftly repelling cross-border attacks and safeguarding the nation’s frontiers.

According to the ISPR, 23 Pakistani troops were martyred and 29 injured in the weekend clashes, which began after Taliban fighters launched coordinated attacks on Pakistani border posts. The military’s media wing said that over 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists were neutralised, with many more injured, based on credible intelligence and damage assessments.

Afghanistan has claimed that its attacks were “retaliatory,” accusing Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes inside Afghan territory last week. Islamabad did not confirm the strikes but reiterated its right to defend itself against cross-border aggression.

The flare-up comes amid a surge in intelligence-based operations against terrorist groups in Pakistan, several of which have resulted in casualties among security personnel. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent militants from using Afghan soil to attack Pakistan — a claim Afghanistan continues to deny.

Separately, in a strongly worded statement issued by the President’s Secretariat Press Wing, President Zardari condemned the “unprovoked cross-border attacks” launched from Afghan territory on Pakistani posts in Spin Boldak (Balochistan) and the Kurram sector (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).

Terming the attacks a “blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, the president commended the armed forces for their professionalism and valour in defending the country’s borders.

He observed that the Afghan Taliban regime remained in “constant violation of the Doha Accord” by allowing safe havens for terrorist groups destabilising the region, including Pakistan. He further noted that Kabul had failed to form a “broad-based and representative government,” continuing to monopolise power to the exclusion of other groups.

President Zardari urged Afghan authorities to ensure their territory was not used for acts of terrorism or hostility against Pakistan, warning that such provocations endangered regional peace and the “long-standing bonds of brotherhood” between the two nations.

He reiterated that while Pakistan desired peaceful and cooperative relations with all neighbours, any act of aggression would be met with a firm and resolute response.