On Friday, October 10, news surfaced indicating that a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader was killed in Kabul during airstrikes conducted by Pakistan. At Thursday night targeted a compound in Kabul through airstrike in which Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the TTP, was killed in the airstrike.
However, the news has not yet been confirmed from either side as to who carried out the attack and whether the TTP leader was actually killed in it.
On October 10, during the press conference, Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR), Director General (DG) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry in response to such news stated that Afghanistan is a neighbourly, Islamic country. “We have historical connections, cultural connections. Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for four decades. We only say one thing to the Afghan government: do not allow your soil to be used for terrorism against Pakistan,” he added.
He further said that trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan was also continuing, and many Afghans came to Pakistan for medical reasons. “So, we only have an extremely fair demand, don’t let your soil be used by non-state actors and terrorist groups.”
At one hand, Afghanistan is strengthening its regional engagement. Taliban acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is on a visit to India for high-level talks on bilateral relations and regional security. On the other side, its territory is also being used for activities against Pakistan. And it is widely known that the TTP is behind these activities.
For more than two decades, Pakistan has been suffering from terrorism, particularly the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Thousands of innocent civilians, along with personnel from law enforcement institutions, intelligence agencies, the Frontier Corps, the Pakistan Army, and the police, have sacrificed their blood to safeguard the destiny of Pakistan.
DG ISPR briefed the journalists in a press conference at Peshawar Corps Headquarters. While addressing he told how the State has responded to the persistent challenge of terrorism through policy, security operations, and strategic engagement. Numerous TTP or khawarij have been eliminated through effective counterterrorism strategies. The response of the State, law enforcement institutions, intelligence agencies, and the Armed Forces of Pakistan remains resolute and strong.
According to DG ISPR, in 2024, a total of 14,535 intelligence-based operations were conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During these operations, 769 terrorists were killed, while 577 precious lives were lost in the line of duty. Among the martyrs were 272 officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army, 144 police personnel, and 165 civilians.
Similarly, in 2025 from the beginning of the year until September 10,115 intelligence-based operations have been carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, averaging around 40 operations per month. During these operations, 917 terrorists have been eliminated, while 516 lives have been martyred, including 311 Pakistan Army personnel, 73 police officers, and 132 innocent civilians.
And DG ISPR rightly said that the State will have to perform its duties properly. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government must first put its own affairs in order. It is time to wake up and act wisely, instead of putting blame on armed forces of Pakistan.
One thing is absolutely clear that the violent and brutal actions carried out by the TTP in Pakistan not only ruined Pakistan’s peace but have also severely damaged relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Nevertheless, Pakistan is continuously making every possible effort to maintain cordial relations with Afghanistan, with the aim of improving trade conditions and promoting regional stability. Certainly, Afghanistan also desires peace. Therefore, Afghanistan will have to make the right decision.
