Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has dismissed accusations by Afghanistan’s Taliban administration claiming Pakistan carried out overnight airstrikes inside Afghan territory.
Security Forces Kill 22 Militants in Intelligence-Based Operation in Bannu
“Pakistan has not attacked Afghanistan,” the military spokesperson said, calling the allegations by the interim Afghan government “baseless.” His remarks followed statements by Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, who accused Islamabad of conducting drone and aircraft strikes in Khost, Kunar, and Paktika provinces, reportedly killing 10 people. Local Afghan officials also claimed the strikes involved aerial platforms.
Mujahid condemned what he described as a violation of Afghan airspace and warned that the “Islamic Emirate” reserves the right to respond at an appropriate time.
Lt Gen Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan conducts all military actions transparently and never targets civilians, noting: “We are a state and respond only as a state.” He added that Pakistan’s stance is against terrorism, not the Afghan people, and urged Kabul to make decisions befitting a state. “The Taliban government should not act like a non-state actor. How long will it remain interim?” he remarked.
The ISPR chief reiterated that Pakistan does not differentiate among terrorist groups, saying: “There is no good or bad Taliban in our view.” He also called for a complete ban on non-custom-paid vehicles, linking them to several terrorism-related incidents.
The comments came a day after a suicide bombing at the Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar killed three officers and injured 11. Pakistani officials have repeatedly urged Afghanistan to ensure its soil is not used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for cross-border attacks. A recent United Nations Security Council monitoring report also highlighted links between the Taliban administration and the TTP, including alleged logistical and financial support.
Earlier on Tuesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed stated that initial findings suggest the three militants involved in the Peshawar attack were likely Afghan nationals, citing collected evidence such as photographs, fingerprints, and CCTV footage.
Faiz Hamid Trial
Lt Gen Chaudhry also addressed the ongoing court-martial proceedings against former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hamid, cautioning against speculation. He said the legal process is progressing and that the final outcome will be shared once the trial concludes.
Hamid, who gained prominence during the 2017 Faizabad sit-in while heading ISI’s counter-intelligence wing, is facing charges of political interference, misuse of authority, and breaches of the Army Act and Official Secrets Act. He was taken into military custody in August 2024, following a Supreme Court–mandated inquiry related to the Top City housing scheme case.
The Army has stated that multiple violations of military regulations were established against Hamid, including several committed post-retirement. Three other retired officers have also been detained in connection with the same case.
