Pakistan has carried out airstrikes in three provinces of Afghanistan, killing more than 100 terrorists, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told the Senate on Monday.
Speaking during a session chaired by Yousaf Raza Gilani, the minister said the operations were conducted in self-defense amid ongoing terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.
Addressing lawmakers, Chaudhry said Pakistan had presented evidence of terrorism originating from Afghanistan to the Taliban administration.
He stated that details of terrorist safe havens and training camps were shared with Afghan authorities. However, he claimed that no serious effort was made by the Taliban government to dismantle these networks.
“In negotiations, billions were demanded from Pakistan to resettle terrorists on the other side,” he said, adding that Islamabad was not provided with any written guarantee ensuring there would be no further infiltration into Pakistan.
More than 100 terrorists killed
The federal minister said Pakistan carried out intelligence-based operations in three Afghan provinces.
“All operations were carried out on the basis of intelligence,” he said, stressing that no action was taken against civilians during the strikes.
Also Read: Pakistan will strike back against every threat, vows minister
According to him, more than 100 terrorists were killed in the airstrikes.
Terror incidents inside Pakistan
Chaudhry said terrorist operations were ongoing inside Pakistan. He referred to a recent attack at a mosque in Islamabad in which 35 to 36 people were martyred. He also mentioned that military officers and soldiers were martyred in Bajaur and Bannu.
“We are carrying out funerals. Our soldiers are fighting to defend the country,” he said.
The minister asserted that the “fabric of all terrorist incidents” in Pakistan originates from Afghanistan.
“Pakistan can no longer tolerate all this,” he said, reiterating that the country has the right to take action in Afghanistan for its own defense.
Also Read: Pakistan strikes inside Afghanistan: Terror camps destroyed, key commander killed
He added that even now, Afghanistan is being urged to engage in dialogue for peace.
No compromise on national security
The minister vowed that no one would be allowed to weaken Pakistan’s defense.
“The blood of security forces will be avenged. Every inch of Pakistan will be defended,” he declared.
He emphasized that the war against terrorism would continue until terrorists are eliminated and that there would be no compromise on national security.
