Pakistan is expected to respond strongly to any attack from Afghanistan, says a new report released by the International Crisis Group (ICG).
The report highlighted that Pakistan’s foreign relations remain fragile and complicated, particularly amid ongoing tensions with neighbouring countries.
According to the report, Islamabad has become increasingly sensitive to cross-border militancy. If Pakistani authorities link a new attack to Afghan soil, a forceful political or security response would be highly likely. The ICG cautioned that such a development could further strain Pakistan-Afghanistan relations and potentially draw in other regional actors.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan has recorded a significant drop in cross-border terrorist attacks and violence-linked fatalities after it closed down the border to Afghanistan on October 11.
Pakistan–Afghanistan relations have deteriorated amid tensions over the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Recently, the security forces conducted an operation in the Ghwaiya Ghar area along the Dera Ghazi Khan Road, detaining eight Afghan nationals who were residing illegally in the district. The detainees were later handed over to the Levies authorities.
According to officials, the Loralai Levies took the individuals into custody and later handed them over to security authorities at the Pak-Afghan border, from where they will be deported to Afghanistan.
Following the Afghan war, thousands of Afghan refugees settled in various camps across the Loralai district.
