Pakistan Could Break Apart If Attacks Continue, Says Taliban Minister

Speaking at the opening of the Fifth International Exhibition in Kabul, Bikdeli said Iran supports Afghanistan’s private sector in its pursuit of economic independence, development and public prosperity.

He said an economy-focused approach could drive lasting relations, adding that improved security and Afghanistan’s expanding ties with neighbouring countries form part of this broader economic strategy.

The Iranian diplomat added that expanding infrastructure, including railways, roads and dams, as well as developing the industrial and agricultural sectors, could pave the way for Afghanistan’s economic growth.

Bikdeli called on traders, investors and business leaders in both Iran and Afghanistan to make use of the friendly and brotherly atmosphere and expand commercial relations between the two countries.

The Iranian ambassador stressed that the presence of a large Iranian delegation at the exhibition was not merely symbolic but reflected Tehran’s serious commitment to expanding cooperation with Afghanistan.

According to Bikdeli, the participating Iranian companies operate in sectors including industry, mining, machinery and industrial equipment, construction materials, energy, engineering services and advanced technologies.

Relations between Iran and the Taliban have in recent years been characterised by a mix of pragmatic cooperation and deep mistrust.

The dispute over the Helmand River water rights remains the biggest source of tension, although border cooperation and economic and security contacts between the two sides have continued to expand.

The sources said Afghan nationals were involved in attacks in Peshawar, Bannu, Besham, North Waziristan, Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.

The five-page dossier obtained by Afghanistan International contains names, aliases, dates of attacks and photographs of the individuals.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed in recent years that Afghan nationals were involved in attacks inside the country.

The security sources said the documents support Islamabad’s longstanding position that Afghan nationals and Afghan territory have been used to organise and plan suicide bombings and other militant attacks in Pakistan.

Pakistani security officials said the information forms part of an effort to document the alleged involvement of Afghan nationals in attacks across the country.

Most recently, Pakistan’s military said the attacker behind the assault on a Rangers camp in Karachi was an Afghan national who was arrested after being wounded.

Responding to Pakistan’s claims, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid described the allegations as illogical. He said Pakistani officials blamed the Taliban whenever an explosion occurred in Karachi or elsewhere in the country.

He added that Pakistan should focus on securing its own cities instead of accusing others.

The Taliban administration has consistently denied allegations that Afghan nationals are involved in bomb attacks in Pakistan.

Since late 2025, repeated clashes have taken place between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban, leading to heightened security tensions along the border.

Over the past five years, Pakistan has carried out at least 13 air and artillery strikes inside Afghanistan.

Islamabad says members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are based in these areas and use Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks against Pakistan, a claim the Taliban deny.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi rejected India’s statement, describing it as “baseless and irresponsible.” He said Pakistan’s actions were “lawful, targeted and proportionate measures against terrorist infrastructure located in Afghanistan.”

He accused India of interfering in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries for years and undermining their sovereignty and territorial integrity in violation of the UN Charter.

Andrabi also alleged that India had supported militant groups operating from Afghan territory against Pakistan, describing this as a violation of the UN Security Council sanctions regime.

The statement further accused India of acting as a destabilising force in the region.

The spokesperson said Islamabad would continue to take all necessary measures, in accordance with international law, to safeguard the security and safety of its citizens.

Pakistan carried out airstrikes on the Afghan provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar on Sunday evening. At least 28 civilians were killed and another 49 injured in the attacks.

India is the only country to have condemned the strikes. Other countries, including regional states that maintain political and economic ties with the Taliban, have not publicly commented on the attacks.

In a statement issued late on Tuesday, the Pakistani military said the four drones entered Balochistan’s airspace from Afghanistan on Tuesday evening. It said the country’s air defence network detected the drones immediately and successfully intercepted and destroyed them.

Earlier, the Taliban’s Defence Ministry claimed its airstrikes inside Pakistan had been successful and had caused damage.

Pakistan’s military warned the Taliban that such irresponsible actions would only add to the suffering of the Afghan people. The statement said the Taliban should stop supporting terrorism and adhere to the principle of peaceful coexistence instead of engaging in what it described as empty rhetoric.

The military also warned that any further cross-border provocation or adventurism by the Taliban threatening Pakistan’s sovereignty would be met with a swift, decisive and forceful response under its “Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haq”.

Pakistan said any such response would impose a heavy cost on the Taliban.

Earlier, the Taliban’s Defence Ministry announced that it had carried out airstrikes inside Pakistan, claiming it had targeted Islamic State positions and anti-Taliban groups. The Taliban described the operation as successful.

In a post on X on Wednesday, the Afghanistan Freedom Front said it had targeted a Taliban Ranger patrol vehicle in Kunduz city.

According to the statement, the attack took place in the Bandar-e Kabul area of Karte Ariana in Kunduz.

The group claimed its recent attacks in Afghanistan’s north-eastern region had heightened security concerns among Taliban forces.

This is the third attack in two days in which the Afghanistan Freedom Front has claimed to have inflicted casualties on the Taliban.

On Monday, the group also said its fighters had attacked the Taliban police headquarters in Chah Ab district of Takhar province and the district administration building in Kishm district of Badakhshan province.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front, an armed group opposed to the Taliban, has stepped up its guerrilla attacks against the group in recent weeks.

The group previously claimed responsibility for an attack in Laghman province, after which Taliban officials held security meetings.

Taliban authorities have not yet commented on these incidents.