Pakistan’s military spokesperson has warned the Afghan Taliban against testing the country’s defence capabilities, saying Islamabad has the capacity to respond to potential threats, including drone attacks.
In an interview with Reuters, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan was prepared to counter threats from the Afghan Taliban and could respond if the group attempted to challenge its security.
“Whatever they want to send, they can; they may try. We have the capability to take them on,” Chaudhry said.
He added that the Afghan Taliban would struggle to withstand the level of retaliation Pakistan could deliver. Addressing concerns about drone technology, he claimed that any drone capabilities held by the Taliban had come from external sponsors rather than being developed independently.
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Chaudhry accused India of being the “biggest terror sponsor” threatening Pakistan and alleged that the Afghan Taliban and militant groups operating against Pakistan were acting as Indian proxies.
Referring to the previous conflict with India, he claimed that New Delhi had deployed dozens of advanced drones, which Pakistan successfully intercepted. He said the military had since strengthened its operational capabilities further.
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The ISPR chief also accused the Afghan Taliban government of sheltering militant leaders and allowing armed groups to use Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
He said Islamabad did not seek to isolate Afghanistan and remained willing to engage with Kabul. However, he urged the Taliban authorities to prevent militant groups from operating across the border.
“We only ask that you don’t support terrorism inside Pakistan. Stop harboring the terrorist leaders,” he said.
Pakistan Demands Action Against Cross-Border Militancy
Chaudhry alleged that militant groups were receiving weapons and support from Afghanistan. He also claimed that Afghan citizens and members of the Taliban regime had been found among individuals involved in attacks against Pakistan.
“If you do it, then there will be a cost,” he warned, adding that Pakistan had a clear strategy and the ability to respond.
Rejecting calls to isolate Afghanistan, he said neighbouring countries and the international community should continue engaging with the Taliban government while pressing it to prevent militant activity from its territory.
He described terrorism and drugs as Afghanistan’s two major exports, warning that both posed serious threats to regional and international security.
“What Afghanistan is producing right now, it has only two products: terrorism and drugs,” he said.
Pakistan Says It Will Not Interfere in Afghanistan’s Governance
The military spokesperson stressed that Pakistan had no intention of deciding how Afghanistan should be governed, saying that responsibility rested with the Afghan people.
However, he maintained that no country should allow armed groups, militias or mercenaries to operate from its territory and threaten neighbouring states.
He also warned that the growing availability of advanced weapons to non-state actors was creating new security challenges for countries around the world.
Military Confirms Use of Advanced Technologies
Asked whether Pakistan’s military used artificial intelligence to identify targets in Afghanistan, Chaudhry declined to discuss specific operational methods.
“I cannot go into specifics about how we are using AI, how we are using quantum technology, how we are using cyber technology, or how we are using multiple other technologies,” he said.
However, he confirmed that the military was using a range of advanced technologies to strengthen its defence capabilities.
“But we are using all sorts of technologies. We are a technology-savvy army,” he added.
His remarks highlighted Pakistan’s stated focus on modernising its military capabilities while maintaining pressure on the Afghan Taliban to address Islamabad’s security concerns.
