Kabul – In a recent interview, Afghanistan’s acting Defense Minister, Mullah Yaqoob, adopted a strong and provocative tone against Pakistan. Speaking to Tolo News, he warned that if Kabul were targeted, Afghan forces would respond decisively in Islamabad. He emphasized that Afghanistan does not seek war, but if conflict is imposed, Afghan forces possess the capacity to fight for an extended period. Mullah Yaqoob also claimed that in retaliation for the death of an Afghan citizen, Afghan forces inflicted significant casualties on the Pakistani military.
TTP Safe Havens
Regarding the militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Mullah Yaqoob dismissed Pakistan’s repeated and justified requests as baseless. He denied that Afghan territory is being used against Pakistan, despite Islamabad repeatedly providing evidence that TTP fighters maintain safe havens inside Afghanistan and carry out cross-border attacks from there.
Pakistan’s Response
Contrary to Mullah Yaqoob’s bold claims, ground realities indicate substantial failures by Afghan forces. During recent escalations, Pakistan’s effective response reportedly resulted in over 500 Afghan personnel killed, and dozens of key positions targeted successfully. Several senior TTP commanders were eliminated, and strategic militant bases were completely destroyed. Analysts suggest that following this significant setback, Mullah Yaqoob’s statements appear to be hollow claims aimed at concealing failures.
Global Concerns
The United Nations and multiple international organizations have repeatedly highlighted that Afghanistan is increasingly serving as a hub for terrorist activity. Despite global concern, Afghan authorities have taken little action against militant groups, posing a serious threat to regional peace. Defense experts note that Mullah Yaqoob’s statements reflect Afghanistan’s continued inability or unwillingness to rid its territory of terrorist networks, a situation that endangers both Afghanistan and the wider region.
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