Pakistani Defense Minister Responds to Taliban Counterclaims Amid Reports of Cross-Border Strikes

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that the Taliban have continued waging war against Islamabad since their takeover of Kabul, describing them as "a group of criminals with no connection to Islam" whose arsenal consists mainly of killing innocent civilians, including children.

This came in response to Taliban Defense Minister Yaqub Mujahid, who suggested Pakistan's conflict with them might be a U.S. project aimed at destroying leftover American weaponry, warning that insecurity in Kabul would extend to Islamabad. Mujahid made these remarks in an interview with Tolo News. Asif criticized past Pakistani governments for participating in U.S.-led wars in Afghanistan, which he said led to extremism and societal divisions in Pakistan, turning Afghan "invaders and looters" into heroes.

Amid escalating tensions, reports emerged of recent Pakistani strikes. In Nangarhar Province, Mawlawi Abdullah Mustafa, mayor of Torkham, said Pakistani forces fired several shells around 4 a.m. on Sunday near a commercial market, sparking a fire that destroyed over 150 shops with losses estimated at nearly 300 million Afghanis. Firefighting efforts involved four trucks and volunteers but were ongoing.

Mullah Hamdullah Fetrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, reported Pakistani militia attacks in Paktia's Chamkani and Patan districts, killing one civilian and wounding another, destroying 10 houses, 14 shops, two markets, and a mosque. In Paktika's Barmal and Shakai districts, two civilians were killed and several houses and shops damaged. In Khost's Alisher and Terzai districts, one civilian was killed and two wounded.

Pakistan attributes its insecurity to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghan soil with Taliban support, while Mujahid claimed Pakistan's main goal is recognition of the Durand Line.