Defence czar hints at cross-border action against terrorists in Afghanistan

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has signaled the possibility of cross-border operations in Afghanistan against terrorists, asserting that Islamabad will pursue terrorists wherever necessary to protect national security. Speaking on News’ program “Aaj Khan” on Tuesday, the defense czar said Pakistan had repeatedly urged Afghanistan to take action against the banned outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), but internal divisions within the Afghan Taliban had rendered them ineffective in addressing the threat. He said that in some instances, Afghan authorities were even providing shelter to TTP elements. An in-camera meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security—consisting of the top civil-military brass—resolved to deal with the terrorist groups with an “iron hand.”