Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid warned Pakistan against carrying out military operations inside Afghanistan, while rejecting Islamabad’s accusations that Afghan territory is being used by militant groups to launch attacks across the border.
– Speaking in an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya English, Mujahid said Afghanistan would defend its sovereignty if Pakistan carried out strikes inside the country.
– “If Pakistan invokes Article 51 to violate the sanctity of Afghan territory, Afghanistan has the right to defend its country, and we will do so,” he said, warning of a “crushing response” to any violation of Afghan sovereignty.
– Mujahid was responding in part to allegations raised in an earlier Al Arabiya English interview with the Pakistani army’s spokesperson, who said Afghan territory was being used to recruit, train and arm militants who later carried out attacks inside Pakistan.
– The Taliban spokesperson rejected those accusations, saying Kabul does not allow the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, to operate from Afghan territory and does not support armed groups targeting other countries.
– He also said Pakistan should address its security challenges internally rather than attribute them to Afghanistan, arguing that unrest involving the TTP and Baloch groups predates the Taliban’s return to power.
– Despite the tensions, Mujahid said Afghanistan wants dialogue with Pakistan and called for stronger mechanisms for intelligence-sharing and cooperation.
– He also welcomed a larger Saudi role in mediating between Kabul and Islamabad, saying the Kingdom is a friend of both countries and can play a “positive role” in resolving their differences.