Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Amid escalating violence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued a stern warning to the Taliban, vowing to “crush” the militant group to secure Pakistan’s stability and progress. His remarks, delivered during an address to the Special Investment Facilitation Council’s (SIFC) apex committee in Islamabad, reflect the urgency of addressing a resurgent threat.
“The Taliban has resurfaced, and we cannot move forward without crushing this menace,” Sharif declared, while paying tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistani soldiers and law enforcement officers who have lost their lives combating terrorism. He called for unity among political and military stakeholders, emphasizing, “We must come together on one page to defeat this threat and secure the nation’s future.”
This declaration follows a deadly series of events. On December 24, the Pakistani military launched airstrikes targeting suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in Afghanistan’s Paktika Province, reportedly killing 46 individuals, including women and children. The Afghan Taliban condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty, claiming several casualties were Afghan refugees. In retaliation, the Afghan Taliban carried out attacks on December 28, killing at least 16 Pakistani soldiers. Concurrently, the TTP has intensified its campaign of terror, launching numerous attacks against Pakistani forces.
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the TTP has leveraged the shifting geopolitical landscape to regroup and escalate its operations. The group’s resurgence has resulted in over 1,200 attacks in recent years, with its ultimate goal of overthrowing the Pakistani government and establishing an Islamic emirate governed by its interpretation of Sharia law.
Pakistan’s military efforts to counter the TTP have faced significant challenges, particularly as the group operates freely across the porous Afghanistan-Pakistan border and reportedly receives support from the Afghan Taliban. This complex dynamic underscores the critical need for a coordinated and decisive response to ensure regional stability.
