Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned Saturday that Pakistan would sever ties with the Afghan Taliban if the group continued to support the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), following the killing of several Pakistani soldiers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaking at the funeral of the fallen troops, Sharif said Pakistan was committed to eradicating terrorism. He stressed that the Taliban cannot host militants who destabilise their neighbour and at the same time expect normal relations with Pakistan.
Sharif, accompanied by Army Chief Asim Munir, travelled to Bannu, where he chaired an emergency counterterrorism meeting and attended the funeral of the soldiers.
The Pakistani military said 12 soldiers and 35 militants were killed in two operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa between 10 and 13 September.
Sharif vowed that Pakistan would deliver a “crushing response” to terrorism, alleging that those behind recent attacks operated from Afghan soil with Indian backing. He said Kabul had been told explicitly it must choose between Islamabad and “the Khawarij”, a term officials use for militant extremists.
He also renewed calls for the expulsion of Afghan migrants, claiming some had taken part in recent attacks. He said that those who support the Khawarij or aid India in carrying out proxy terrorist actions are effectively acting as their agents and will be dealt with according to law.
Sharif added that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stood with the government and armed forces against India-backed proxies, pledging that his administration would take all necessary legal and administrative steps to respond decisively to terrorism.
During the trip, he also visited wounded soldiers in Bannu’s military hospital.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban and India of supporting militant groups, particularly the TTP, allegations both Kabul and New Delhi deny.