Pakistan’s Defence Minister Warns of Two-Front War, Points Finger at India For Afghan Clashes

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stirred controversy by once again blaming India over the country's escalating border tensions with Afghanistan.

In a televised interview with Samaa TV, Asif warned that India "could play dirty at the border" and asserted that Pakistan is prepared to face simultaneous threats from both its eastern and western frontiers.

Responding to a question about potential Indian provocations, Asif said, "No, absolutely, you cannot rule that out. There are strong possibilities." When asked whether any high-level meetings had been held to prepare for such a scenario, he confirmed, "Yes, strategies are in place. I can't discuss them publicly, but we are prepared for any eventuality."

Asif's remarks follow earlier claims that Afghanistan's Taliban government is acting as a proxy for India. In a separate interview with Geo News, he alleged that decisions made by the Taliban are "being sponsored by Delhi," casting doubt on the durability of a recently brokered ceasefire.

"Kabul is fighting a proxy war for Delhi," Asif claimed, despite Pakistan's own history of supporting militant groups within its borders.

The Defence Minister's comments come in the wake of intense cross-border violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan. A 48-hour ceasefire was agreed upon late Wednesday after deadly skirmishes claimed the lives of both soldiers and civilians.

The Taliban reportedly launched attacks along its southern border with Pakistan, prompting Islamabad to threaten a forceful response. Pakistan has accused Kabul of sheltering members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a charge the Afghan government denies.