Pakistan warns of further action over cross-border attacks from Afghanistan

Pakistan has warned it could take further military action if it says militant attacks from Afghan territory continue. A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tahir Andrabi, said at a news briefing that recent air strikes in eastern Afghanistan were carried out under what Islamabad describes as its “right to self-defence”. He said the strikes were a response to what Pakistan calls “terrorist activity” originating across the border, adding that Islamabad would not remain silent over threats to its citizens. The spokesperson said intelligence-based operations were launched following recent attacks in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Karachi and other areas. Referring to a recent incident in Karachi, he alleged that Afghan territory was being used to plan and coordinate attacks against Pakistan, and warned that further incidents would prompt additional action. He also said that on 28 June, four members of militant groups, including a senior commander, were killed in Bajaur in an intelligence-led operation. Pakistan says its recent air strikes targeted militant positions in response to security threats, amid continuing tensions with Afghanistan over cross-border militancy.