Pakistan's defense minister, Khawaja Asif, has confirmed that the country will persist in launching military strikes in Afghanistan to counter terrorism. The strikes are part of a broader military campaign called 'Resolve for Stability' and are aimed at militant groups that Pakistan accuses of operating from Afghan soil. The announcement comes in response to recent attacks by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and China's warning about the security situation in Pakistan [1b3bf2be].
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan alleges that the Afghan Taliban has been reluctant to take action against the TTP, which has been using Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan. The new military operation has garnered attention partly due to speculations about external pressures influencing Pakistan's decision, particularly from China, which is concerned about the safety of its citizens in Pakistan [1b3bf2be] [e7e935a3].
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office has tried to calm fears about a devastating military operation, stating that large-scale offensives won't be necessary and that the TTP no longer holds territory or operates 'no-go zones' within Pakistan. However, politicians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have ridiculed these claims, stating that the TTP has expanded its presence in the majority of districts in KP. The counterterrorism push will focus on targeted, intelligence-driven operations [e7e935a3].
Despite the threat of drone strikes, Pakistan is engaging in back-door diplomacy with the Taliban regime and is working with Kabul on how to 'contain' the TTP. Public opposition to the military operation has grown due to the TTP's resurgence, which was exacerbated by an attempt to resettle fighters in their home districts as part of a Taliban-mediated truce. Pakistan's historical policy decisions and strained regional relationships limit its options in addressing security challenges [e7e935a3].