Pakistan Threatens Military Action Against Afghan Taliban Over Cross Border Attacks

Pakistan warned the Taliban administration in Kabul on Saturday night that cross-border terrorism constitutes an intolerable threat, asserting its right under international law to eliminate militant sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.

The statement from Islamabad's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting responded directly to comments by Zabihullah Mujahid, the Afghan Taliban spokesperson, who told Hurriyat Radio that Pakistani policies were preventing a peaceful resolution.

Friction between the two countries has intensified throughout 2026, leading to repeated border skirmishes and precision aerial attacks targeting armed groups operating along the frontier.

"We obviously have heard those concerns on their part," said Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, speaking in Atlanta on Saturday. "We obviously don't want them to be targeted by terrorism."

Rubio noted that Pakistani officials believe the Taliban administration has failed to constrain militant attacks launched from Afghan territory against targets across the border.

Pakistani officials reported that more than 4,700 citizens have lost their lives to cross-border violence over the past three years, pointing to groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

In a UN address, Muhammad Jawad Ajmal, a counsellor at Pakistan's United Nations mission, warned that Islamabad would not remain passive while militant groups use Afghan soil to mount strikes against Pakistani civilians.

Islamabad will "exercise its right to self-defence, whenever necessary and in accordance with international law, against any threat to its citizens and national security," said Ajmal.

Pakistani forces conducted aerial and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan in September, following earlier military action in March that hit drone and ammunition storage facilities.

The conflict has drawn involvement from regional powers, with China hosting trilateral discussions in April to safeguard its 65 billion dollar investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

India has simultaneously renewed diplomatic ties with Kabul by establishing a technical mission and planning to restore its full diplomatic presence in the Afghan capital.

The main unresolved issue remains whether diplomatic dialogue can preserve the fragile ceasefire established in March or if recurring border clashes will escalate into broader military action.