ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused India of waging a “low-intensity war” against Pakistan from Afghan territory. Speaking on Al Arabiya English’s Counterpoints show, Asif said the Taliban regime and New Delhi have maintained a close relationship for years.
He revealed that the Taliban recently carried out an unprovoked attack on Pakistan while Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was visiting India. “The Taliban regime has had long-standing ties with Delhi. Their minister stayed there for eight or nine days, and during that period, we faced cross-border attacks. We retaliated after losing several soldiers,” Asif stated.
‘Taliban Have Become an Indian Proxy’
The defence minister claimed the Taliban now serve as an Indian proxy, asserting that India is exploiting Afghan soil to target Pakistan. He further alleged that India played a key role in derailing peace talks between Pakistan and the Taliban regime.
“On multiple occasions, they agreed to our terms but refused to sign anything in writing. We want a written commitment so the world can see they are harbouring terrorists, including the TTP,” Asif said, adding that the regime poses a threat to regional and global peace.
Talks in Istanbul Fail to Yield Progress
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that four-day talks in Istanbul ended without a breakthrough despite Pakistan’s evidence-based counterterrorism proposals.
Earlier, Asif warned the Taliban regime that Pakistan’s patience had limits, saying “venomous statements” by Afghan officials exposed a “splintered mindset.”
