Taliban Must Ensure Afghan Soil Not Used For Terrorism: US

Taliban Must Ensure Afghan Soil Not Used For Terrorism: US
In light of Pakistan's concern that its neighbor is home to the extremist Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the United States (US) underlined that the Afghan Taliban must guarantee that their country is not utilized as a base for terrorist activities.

According to Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, the Taliban has the responsibility to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a safe haven for launching terrorist attacks."

The incident happened after the senior brass of the Pakistani Army said that one of the main factors affecting the country’s security is the safe havens and freedom of action enjoyed by terrorists from the TTP and other banned organizations in Afghanistan.

The TTP have access to the latest weapons because of their safe havens in Afghanistan, as the army highlighted during the 258th Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) under the supervision of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir.

Since the TTP broke its ceasefire deal with Islamabad in November of last year, there has been an increase in terror strikes in Pakistan, and the military forces have intensified their operations against terrorists.

The Pakistan Army last week promised to take an "effective response" after 12 of its troops embraced martyrdom in two strikes, expressing its grave worry that extremists had discovered safe havens in the neighboring country.

Following the restoration of the Afghan Taliban to power in August 2021, Pakistan has seen an increase in terrorist assaults and has urged interim leaders to take serious action against terrorists, particularly the TTP responsible for cross-border attacks.

A statistical study published by the independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) revealed that the number of terrorist incidents in the country increased by 79% during the first half of 2023.

In response to comments made by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif that Afghanistan is not upholding its obligations under the Doha deal, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that they did not sign the peace agreement with Islamabad, raising concerns among Pakistani leaders.