Khawaja Asif says Taliban support for TTP continues, warns against trusting 'mixed signals'

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday asserted that the Afghan Taliban regime continues to support the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), cautioning against placing trust in what he described as contradictory signals emanating from Kabul regarding cross-border terrorism.

Speaking during an interview with a private television channel, the defence minister dismissed media reports claiming that Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had directed the TTP to halt attacks inside Pakistan.

“It is only in the media. Practically, there has been no change in the situation on the ground,” Asif said, maintaining that there was no evidence of any meaningful shift in the Taliban’s policy towards militant groups operating against Pakistan.

He urged the Afghan Taliban leadership to unequivocally end all support for the TTP, stressing that any such decision should come directly from the highest levels of the Taliban government.

“It should come from the horse’s mouth,” he remarked, referring to reports about a possible withdrawal of Taliban backing for the militant outfit.

The minister further warned against relying on what he termed “mixed signals” from Kabul, arguing that conflicting statements from Afghan authorities had created uncertainty regarding their actual intentions.

“It will be very dangerous to trust these mixed signals. There is absolutely nothing on the ground to indicate any change,” he stated.

Referring to the security situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Asif reiterated Pakistan’s concerns over militant sanctuaries and cross-border attacks. He noted that despite multiple rounds of diplomatic engagement, including talks facilitated by China in Urumqi, Islamabad and Kabul had yet to reach a lasting understanding on the issue.

The defence minister also referred to Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, launched earlier this year following renewed border clashes. The operation was initiated after Afghan Taliban forces allegedly opened fire on several locations along the frontier, prompting a military response from Pakistan.

According to figures previously shared by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, hundreds of Afghan Taliban operatives were reportedly killed or injured during the operation.

Turning to regional security, Asif responded to recent remarks by the Indian army chief, who reportedly stated that Operation Sindoor remained active despite a temporary cessation of hostilities and suggested the possibility of a future military operation if required.

The defence minister said India was still grappling with the consequences of its setback during Marka-e-Haq last year and warned New Delhi against embarking on any new military adventure.

“India is still bearing the humiliation of its failure in the recent conflict,” he said, adding that Pakistan remained fully prepared to respond to any future aggression.

Asif further alleged that India was using Afghanistan as a platform for proxy activities against Pakistan and maintained that Islamabad would not hesitate to defend its sovereignty and security interests.

“The Pakistan Army will inflict an even stronger defeat on India than it did previously,” he said. “If India wishes to test the situation again, it will receive a befitting response.”

The minister’s remarks come amid continuing regional tensions following the conflict that erupted after the April 22 Pahalgam attack and concluded with a ceasefire on May 10 following Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

Despite diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and enhancing regional stability, Pakistan continues to express concern over militant activity originating from Afghan territory and remains committed to safeguarding its national security through both diplomatic and military means.