Pakistan Defence Minister Accuses India of Two-Front Conflict Strategy
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has alleged that India aims to keep Pakistan engaged in conflicts on both its eastern and western borders. The statement comes amid ongoing tensions with Afghanistan and India, referencing recent border clashes and May’s Operation Sindoor.
Key Developments
- Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire formalized in Doha on October 18-19
- Pakistan conducted airstrikes on TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan on October 9
- Three-point agreement reached in second round of Afghanistan negotiations
- Qatar and Turkey mediating ceasefire efforts
India’s Alleged Proxy War
Asif directly accused India of waging a proxy war against Pakistan since the Ashraf Ghani era. “India seeks to keep Pakistan preoccupied on two fronts: the eastern and western,” he stated during a Geo News interview, adding “If necessary, we will present proof.”
Afghanistan as ‘Proxy for India’
The defence minister repeated claims that Afghanistan is acting as India’s proxy, alleging that Taliban leadership is being manipulated by Delhi. “The people in Kabul pulling the strings and staging the puppet show are being controlled by Delhi,” he told Dawn newspaper.
Asif warned that India “could play dirty at the border” but asserted Pakistan’s readiness for a “two-front war” if necessary. The comments came amid violent border clashes that coincided with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India.
Ceasefire and Counter-Terrorism Demands
Following Pakistan’s October 9 airstrikes on Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan sanctuaries in Afghanistan, border clashes continued for days before the Doha ceasefire. Asif emphasized national consensus that “terrorism from Afghan soil should be completely stopped” as an immediate necessity.
The defence minister expressed optimism about mediation efforts by Qatar and Turkey. The second round of negotiations produced a three-point understanding covering ceasefire continuation, establishment of monitoring mechanisms, and violation penalties.
