News Brief
India Calls Out Pakistan’s "Old Practice” Of Blaming Neighbours For Internal Failures Amid Afghanistan Border Clashes
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (Representative Image)
India sharply criticised Pakistan on Thursday (16 October) for backing terrorism and shifting blame amid rising tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, reported The New Indian Express.
“We are closely monitoring the situation,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
“Three things are clear – first, Pakistan hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terrorist activities; second, it is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its own internal failures; and third, Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories.”
Jaiswal reaffirmed India’s commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence, adding that India will soon upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy.
His remarks followed Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s claims that the Taliban government in Kabul was “fighting a proxy war” on India’s behalf and that Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi had made “ulterior plans” during his six-day visit to New Delhi, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.
The comments coincided with a fragile 48-hour ceasefire that took effect late Wednesday (15 October) after days of intense cross-border clashes, which killed dozens of soldiers and civilians on both sides.
Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed Afghan forces were ordered to respect the truce “unless any aggression takes place.”
The Pakistani military reported killing 34 TTP militants in intelligence-driven operations across North and South Waziristan and Bannu districts. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said Islamabad remains open to talks with Kabul, noting, “The ball is in their court.”
The UN welcomed the ceasefire and urged both sides to protect civilians, highlighting the severe human toll of the clashes.
