According to the regional office Tasnim News AgencyAs the deadline for the temporary ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which expires at midnight today (Monday, April 3), is approaching, statements by senior Pakistani officials indicate that Islamabad is preparing for a new phase of tension, and possibly the resumption of military operations.
“Mohammad Ishaq Dar”, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, announced today in clear statements that this country’s attacks will continue against what Islamabad calls “terrorist threats from Afghanistan”.
By publishing a message on the occasion of “Pakistan Day”, he stated that “Pakistan is still determined to eradicate the threat of terrorism” and added that the country’s actions in Afghanistan against “Indian sedition” and “Khawarij sedition” are being carried out in this direction.
The Khawarij sedition refers to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and the Hindustan sedition, the Balochistan Liberation Army, which Islamabad claims is operating against Pakistan from Afghanistan’s territory with the support of Kabul and Delhi.
At a higher level, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, in a harsh tone, moved to deprive Kabul of political legitimacy by calling the Taliban an “illegal group based in Afghanistan”; A strategic change of tone that could provide the legal and political basis for Pakistan’s continued cross-border attacks against Afghanistan.
Zardari also stated: “Those who support terrorism or try to undermine peace through India or its affiliated elements will be completely eliminated so that our borders remain secure.”
Previously, “Talal Chaudhry”, the Deputy Minister of Interior of Pakistan, had also emphasized that the suspension of the “Azb Lal Haq” operation on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr was “temporary” and “if necessary, measures will be continued.”
He said in a press conference: “Pakistan should give priority to its security interests” and claimed that terrorist activities are carried out inside this country from Afghanistan.
The Taliban government, however, has not yet responded to the claims. Also, unlike Pakistan, the Afghan governing body has not announced a specific time for the end of the ceasefire, which could indicate Kabul’s desire to continue the ceasefire.
Civilian casualties
Pakistan’s claims of targeting “terrorist bases” in Afghanistan come as at least 56 civilians were killed and 1,290 wounded in border clashes and Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan from March 7 to 15, 2015, according to the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
In addition, on March 26, the Pakistani army also targeted an addiction treatment center in Kabul with an air attack; A center approved by international organizations as a civilian medical facility. According to the Taliban report, this attack left at least 400 civilians dead and more than 250 wounded.
The end of the message.
