Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reiterated his claim that India is using Afghanistan as a proxy to wage a “two-front war” against Pakistan, though he provided no evidence to support the allegation.
Speaking to Pakistani broadcaster Geo News this week, Asif alleged that India is keeping Pakistan “engaged” on both its eastern and western borders. His comments referred to recent cross-border skirmishes along the Durand Line and airstrikes near Kabul — the deadliest clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
‘India Manipulating Kabul’
“India has been waging a proxy war against Pakistan since the Ashraf Ghani era. If necessary, we will present proof. India seeks to keep Pakistan preoccupied on two fronts,” Asif said.
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He further alleged that “people in Kabul pulling the strings and staging the puppet show are being controlled by Delhi,” while speaking to Dawn.
Ceasefire Mediated After Deadly Violence
The recent violence between the Taliban and Pakistani forces claimed over 70 lives and left hundreds injured before Turkey and Qatar mediated a ceasefire.
The Taliban authorities blamed Pakistan for explosions in Kabul on October 9, while Islamabad accused Kabul of acting on India’s instructions.
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Islamic State’s Presence Cited
Taliban leaders have also accused Pakistan of harbouring members of the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), a regional affiliate of ISIS operating in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Central Asia. The group has carried out several deadly attacks, including the March 2024 Moscow concert hall bombing that killed 150 people.
Despite mutual accusations, Islamabad continues to insist that India’s “influence” over Kabul is the key factor behind the renewed tension between the two neighbours.
