Militants Using Afghan Soil Will Be Eliminated, Says Pak President
Pakistan’s president said recent military operations against militant groups have produced significant results and warned that those supporting terrorism would be “eliminated”.
Pakistan’s president said recent military operations against militant groups have produced significant results and warned that those supporting terrorism would be “eliminated”.
Asif Ali Zardari made the remarks Monday in a statement marking Pakistan Day, saying the country faces security challenges both internally and along its borders.
Zardari said Pakistan’s message to what he described as illegal groups operating from Afghanistan was clear, adding that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and other groups would not be allowed to use Afghan territory to carry out attacks against Pakistan.
He said Pakistan’s military operation, known as “Ghazab-il-Haq”, had so far achieved notable results and stressed that the country would act decisively to secure its borders and populated areas.
The remarks come as a temporary ceasefire between the Taliban and Pakistan, brokered over Eid al-Fitr with mediation by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye, is due to expire.
Statements by Pakistani officials suggest that with the end of the ceasefire, the likelihood of renewed strikes inside Afghanistan may increase.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire even during the Eid period, with reports of Pakistani artillery shelling in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan.
