Taliban Warn Pakistan of “Crushing Response” If Afghan Territory Is Attacked

Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid urges Saudi mediation, calls for stronger intelligence-sharing
KABUL: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has warned Pakistan that Afghanistan will give a “crushing response” to any military action on its territory carried out in the name of the “right to self-defence.”
In an interview, Mujahid said: “If Pakistan invokes Article 51 to violate the sanctity of Afghan soil, Afghanistan has the right to defend its country, and we will do so.” Article 51 of the UN Charter recognises the right of member states to individual or collective self-defence in the event of an armed attack.
He rejected Pakistan’s allegation that militant groups, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), carry out attacks against Pakistan from Afghan soil. He said the Taliban’s policy is that Afghan territory must not be used against any country.
Mujahid asked Saudi Arabia to mediate between Kabul and Islamabad to ease tensions, while also stressing the need for stronger intelligence-sharing and cooperation mechanisms between the two sides.
Pakistan recently told the UN Security Council that attacks by militant groups operating from Afghan territory have increased and that it reserves the right to act in self-defence. The Taliban have responded that border tensions, drone surveillance and airstrikes by Pakistan are further inflaming the situation.