Khawaja Asif Warns Against Trusting Taliban ‘Mixed Signals’, Says Support for TTP Remains Unchanged

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Defence minister says Afghan Taliban leadership has shown no practical move to curb TTP activities, while reaffirming Pakistan’s readiness to counter threats from both western and eastern borders.

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said there is no evidence on the ground to suggest that the Afghan Taliban have withdrawn their support for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), cautioning against relying on what he described as “mixed signals” from Kabul.

Speaking in an interview with a private television channel, Asif dismissed reports that Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had instructed the TTP to halt attacks inside Pakistan.

“It is only in the media,” Asif said, adding that there had been “absolutely no change” in the security situation on the ground.

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Call for Clear Action from Taliban Leadership

The defence minister urged the Afghan Taliban’s top leadership to decisively end support for TTP militants.

“It should come from the horse’s mouth,” he said, stressing that any claim of a policy shift must be backed by concrete action rather than unofficial reports.

Asif warned that contradictory statements emerging from Kabul could be misleading and dangerous if taken at face value.

“It will be very dangerous to trust the mixed signals being sent regarding terrorism,” he stated.

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Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions Remain High

Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have remained strained amid continued security concerns and cross-border militancy.

Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab Lil Haq earlier this year following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The operation came after Afghan Taliban forces allegedly opened fire on multiple Pakistani positions, prompting military retaliation.

Despite several rounds of diplomatic engagement, including talks facilitated by China, both sides have yet to reach a comprehensive agreement to resolve the ongoing tensions.

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Response to Indian Military Statements

Asif also reacted to recent remarks by India’s military leadership, claiming New Delhi was still dealing with the consequences of its defeat during last year’s Marka-e-Haq conflict.

He was responding to statements attributed to the Indian Army chief suggesting that Operation Sindoor remains active and that India is prepared for a possible follow-up military operation if required.

The defence minister said Pakistan remained fully prepared to respond to any future aggression.

“Pakistan is ready to answer any misadventure,” Asif said, adding that India was attempting to use Afghanistan as a platform for a proxy conflict against Pakistan.

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Warning Against Future Escalation

Reiterating Pakistan’s military preparedness, Asif said any future confrontation would be met with a stronger response.

“What happened last time perhaps did not satisfy India. If it wishes to try again, it may do so, and it will receive its answer,” he remarked.

The previous conflict between the two countries began after the April 22 Pahalgam attack and ended with a ceasefire on May 10 following Operation Bunyanum Marsoos.

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