Brief

Pakistan urges Afghanistan to act against militants

Pakistan's information ministry rejected allegations of arming and recruiting Afghans while urging Kabul to stop cross‑border militant support.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 25 Oct 2026 04:40:50 GMT

Pakistan urged the Taliban‑run Afghan government on Saturday to take verifiable action against militants it says operate from Afghan territory, and dismissed Kabul's claim that Islamabad was shifting blame for its own security failures, the Independent reported.

The Pakistani Information Ministry posted on X that it rejects allegations it is arming Afghans to fight the Taliban or recruiting them to fight anti‑Pakistan insurgents. Former U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad had cited such reports a day earlier without providing evidence or sources.

Pakistan said recent Afghan forces killed 28 fighters and captured 32, including alleged Islamic State members who crossed from Pakistan. It repeatedly accuses Kabul of sheltering the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and al‑Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, while the Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied any role in Pakistan’s insecurity and accused Pakistan of shifting blame.

The ministry highlighted documented security concerns such as attempted cross‑border infiltration, deaths of Afghan nationals during Pakistani counter‑terrorism operations, and recovery of foreign‑origin weapons. It cited a U.S. report covering January‑March 2026 that estimated the Pakistani Taliban’s strength at 4,000‑6,000 fighters.

Pakistan is conducting multiple operations near the Afghan border aimed at targeting militant threats, not Afghan civilians, and urged the Taliban to end any tolerance, facilitation or support for groups like the TTP and BLA, and to prevent Afghan territory from being used to plan attacks against Pakistan.

Key facts

Pakistan urged Afghanistan's Taliban government to take verifiable action against militants operating from Afghan territory. (independent.co.uk)
Pakistan's Information Ministry denied allegations it was arming Afghans to fight the Taliban or recruiting them to fight anti‑Pakistan insurgents. (independent.co.uk)
A U.S. report covering Jan‑Mar 2026 estimated the Pakistani Taliban's strength at 4,000‑6,000 fighters. (independent.co.uk)
Afghan forces reportedly killed 28 fighters and captured 32, including alleged IS members crossing from Pakistan. (independent.co.uk)
Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied responsibility for insecurity in Pakistan and accused Pakistan of shifting blame. (independent.co.uk)