Lashkar-e-Taiba cheers Asim Munir's elevation as CDF, pushes Pakistani Army's line against Afghanistan

A senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader and longtime aide of Hafiz Saeed has openly backed Asim Munir’s elevation as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces, exposing once again the deep alignment between Pakistan’s military establishment and proscribed terror groups. In a newly surfaced video message, LeT commander Qari Yaqoob Sheikh not only praised Munir but also issued a threat to Afghanistan, warning that the LeT is prepared to fight alongside the Pakistan Army if Kabul does not stop alleged anti-Islamabad activities.

Sheikh attempted to position the LeT as a defender of Pakistan’s interests. He claimed Afghans had made sacrifices for Pakistan and said they “deserve to be rewarded.” He argued that “every country has the right to take any step necessary for its defence” and applauded what he described as General Munir’s recent decisions that have fostered “trust and respect” among clerics.

He further endorsed the fatwa issued by clerics from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan declaring that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against any country. Sheikh said that if the Taliban government assures Islamabad that no anti-Pakistan operations will originate from Afghanistan, bilateral ties could reach “new heights.” He added that Pakistan had long supported Afghanistan as a “brother Islamic country” and had hosted and assisted Afghan refugees.

Sheikh pressed Kabul to make an unambiguous commitment. He said “the Afghan leadership should now clearly declare that no attack on Pakistan will be launched from their soil.” He then issued a direct warning to the Taliban regime, stating “an announcement should come from the Afghan Taliban that no bullet will be fired at Pakistan from their soil. If such an assurance is not given, then remember this: for the defence of Pakistan, we stand firmly with the Pakistan Army.”