Monitoring Desk: Retired Air Marshal Amir Masood has described Pakistan’s recent cross-border military action inside Afghanistan as a “final warning” following what he said was a sustained surge in terrorist attacks originating from Afghan territory.
In remarks on the ongoing tensions, Masood stated that the operation involved both ground forces and the air force and came after “three years of repeated warnings” by Islamabad regarding an increase in terrorist incidents across Pakistan.
He said numerous civilians, including women and children, had been killed in attacks on mosques and other targets, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). According to Masood, many of the militants apprehended or killed during operations were Afghan nationals.
Masood alleged that these groups were using weapons left behind by U.S. forces after their withdrawal from Afghanistan, describing the cache as worth billions of dollars. He further claimed that militant outfits such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operate as an extension of the Afghan Taliban, and linked their activities to broader regional networks that also include Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Islamic State (Daesh).
The retired air marshal also alleged external backing for these groups, claiming that funding and logistical support were being provided by foreign intelligence services. He argued that the presence of multiple militant organizations operating freely inside Afghanistan had effectively created “safe havens” and training camps that threaten regional stability.
Referring to recent strikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province as well as in the Kabul and Kandahar areas, Masood described the actions as a “hot pursuit” conducted in a “surgical” manner to dismantle militant hideouts.
He said Pakistan had conveyed its concerns not only to Afghan authorities but also through diplomatic channels involving regional and international actors, urging Kabul to prevent its territory from being used for attacks.
Masood expressed hope that the message had been received clearly and that further escalation could be avoided through dialogue. “I hope sanity will prevail,” he said, emphasizing the need for negotiations and a peaceful solution to prevent broader regional instability.
