Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that India “could play dirty at the border” and insisted that the country is prepared for a two-front war amid rising tensions in Afghanistan.
Responding to questions during an interview on Samaa TV about the possibility of Indian provocations along the border, Asif said: “No, absolutely, you cannot rule that out. There are strong possibilities.”
When asked if the government had prepared for a potential two-front war, Asif confirmed that strategies were in place, adding: “I can’t discuss them publicly, but we are prepared for any eventuality.”
The minister’s remarks come as Pakistan maintains heightened security along its borders and continues to monitor developments in Afghanistan closely, signalling readiness to respond to any escalation.
Earlier, Asif accused the Taliban government of “fighting a proxy war” on behalf of India. “I have my doubts if the ceasefire will hold, because the decisions of the (Afghan) Taliban are being sponsored by Delhi... Right now, Kabul is fighting a proxy war for Delhi,” he said. He added: “Muttaqi (Taliban foreign minister) is back after a week-long trip to India. It remains to be seen what plan he has brought along with him.”
Last week, Pakistani and Taliban forces clashed intensely after Islamabad targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps in Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban of sheltering militants responsible for hundreds of Pakistani soldier deaths since 2021. The Taliban claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, while Pakistan said it neutralised 200 “Taliban and affiliated terrorists.”
A fragile ceasefire mediated by Saudi Arabia and Qatar collapsed when Pakistan conducted air strikes in Kandahar province, killing dozens of Taliban fighters. In retaliation, Taliban forces reportedly seized Pakistani weapons and a T-55 tank, showcasing captured gear and leaving Islamabad publicly embarrassed.
On Wednesday, Pakistan PM Sharif said that Islamabad is ready for talks with Afghanistan to resolve ongoing tensions. The announcement followed a temporary 48-hour ceasefire that largely held after days of intense fighting along their contested border, including Pakistani airstrikes. Sharif noted that Pakistan had “retaliated” in response to repeated militant attacks, signalling a cautious but firm approach to the conflict.
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