DG ISPR Dismisses Afghan Allegations, Issues Warning on Potential Indian False Flag

Rejects Afghan claims regarding the use of Pakistani territory for US attacks on Afghanistan.

Highlights the nexus between terrorism and drug money, cautioning about emerging regional divisions.

Reports that 206 Afghan army soldiers were also killed in various confrontations.

ISLAMABAD:During an extensive security briefing for senior journalists on Monday, Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry unequivocally refuted accusations from the Afghan Taliban regime alleging that Pakistan had authorized the United States to launch drone strikes into Afghanistan from its soil.

Categorical Denial of Afghan Claims

“The allegation holds absolutely no truth,”DG ISPR Chaudhryasserted during the private session. He clarified to journalists in an informal interaction, “Pakistan has neither granted permission to, nor facilitated any external power, including the United States, to carry out attacks on Afghanistan from within its borders.”

Lt Gen Chaudhry underscored that no operational or intelligence-sharing pact exists between Islamabad and Washington that would permit such actions. His comments come amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government, which have traded accusations concerning cross-border terrorism and security breaches.

Intensified Counterterrorism Efforts and Narco-Terrorism Link

The military spokesperson also updated journalists on Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism operations, the dynamics of cross-border militancy, and the complex financial and drug networks that sustain extremist groups in the region.

According toLt Gen Chaudhry, Pakistan has conducted a series of robust military campaigns over recent months aimed at neutralizing militants operating along the Pak-Afghan border. “Over the past three to four months, our forces have eliminated 112 foreign fighters, with approximately 60 percent identified as Afghan nationals,” he disclosed.

The DG ISPRfurther noted that an estimated 206 Afghan army soldiers were also reported killed in various skirmishes, signaling an alarming increase in the involvement of Afghan combatants in militant activities targeting Pakistan from across the border.

He stressed that a significant portion of these militants receive funding through the illicit narcotics trade, which remains a primary revenue source for extremist organizations. “Terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is deeply enmeshed with a narco-economy,” he explained, detailing how Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), Frontier Corps, and other agencies have collectively ramped up operations against drug cultivation and trafficking networks.

Lt Gen Chaudhryrevealed that roughly 12,000 acres of land in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are still used for poppy cultivation, generating immense profits—ranging from Rs1.8 million to Rs3.2 million per acre. “These funds are then funneled into sustaining militant networks,” he warned, adding that certain local political figures are allegedly complicit in this unlawful enterprise.

He highlighted recent operations in the Tirah Valley, where drones and ground units from the ANF and Frontier Corps successfully destroyed extensive poppy fields and dismantled processing facilities linked to terror financing.

Critique of Taliban’s Unfulfilled Commitments

Addressing the political dimension of the Afghan situation,Lt Gen Chaudhrycriticized the Taliban regime for failing to honor its commitments under the 2020 Doha Agreement. “The Taliban leadership promised a Loya Jirga and the formation of an inclusive, representative government. Those pledges remain unfulfilled,” he observed.

He reiterated Pakistan’s consistent advocacy for a peaceful, inclusive political resolution in Afghanistan as the sole viable path to regional stability. “We favor dialogue and peaceful coexistence,” he stated, “but should negotiations prove futile, we will explore other options to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and national interests.”

The DG ISPRalso accused elements within Afghanistan of offering sanctuary to militants involved in violent actions in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. He alleged that Afghan-based groups have relocated fighters into densely populated areas, effectively using civilians as human shields—a tactic that complicates counterterrorism operations.

Warning of Potential Indian False Flag Operation

Shifting focus to the eastern front,Lt Gen Chaudhrywarned that Pakistani intelligence agencies had detected potential indicators of India’s intent to orchestrate a “false-flag” operation—particularly in the maritime domain—as part of a broader disinformation campaign against Pakistan.

“We suspect that India might attempt a false-flag maritime operation to fabricate a pretext for aggression and internationally malign Pakistan,” he cautioned. He noted that such tactics align with India’s historical use of disinformation to discredit Pakistan on the global stage.

The DG ISPRaffirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces remain on high alert, prepared to respond to any provocation or manufactured incident. “We are fully cognizant of India’s designs and will undertake all necessary measures to preserve our territorial integrity,” he declared.

Conclusion: Defensive Actions for Sovereignty

In concluding his remarks,Lt Gen Chaudhryreiterated that Pakistan’s recent security operations—whether against cross-border militants or domestic insurgents—were purely defensive and proportionate. “Our actions are deliberate, targeted, and consistent with international norms,” he emphasized. “We seek peace, but peace cannot come at the expense of Pakistan’s sovereignty.”

The detailed briefing bythe DG ISPRunderscored Islamabad’s escalating frustration with Kabul’s inaction against militant sanctuaries and the persistent cross-border threats that jeopardize regional stability. It also reflected the military’s resolve to confront terrorism, narcotics financing, and external manipulation—all while keeping diplomatic engagement as an open option.