Pakistan may be playing the role of a peacemaker in a turbulent region, but its own conflict continues unabated. The western border remains a dangerous front, and the Afghan Taliban have shown little willingness to act as a responsible neighbour. The latest destruction of multiple Afghan Taliban posts in Balochistan’s Chaman sector is a reminder that Pakistan’s patience cannot be mistaken for weakness.
It was hoped that the Taliban would take their recent military setbacks as a lesson and work with regional partners to seek peace. Instead, cross-border aggression, support for terrorist sanctuaries and attacks linked to the banned TTP have continued. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to dismantle these networks. Those appeals have gone largely unanswered. In such circumstances, Pakistan has no option but to defend itself with force.
Operation Ghazab lil-Haq must therefore continue until its objectives are achieved. The destruction of posts, vehicles and installations in Chaman, following earlier action in South Waziristan and Ghulam Khan, shows that Pakistan’s security forces are responding with precision and resolve. This is not escalation for its own sake. It is a necessary response to repeated violations, civilian injuries and attempts to use Afghan soil as a launchpad against Pakistan.
The Taliban regime must understand that geography does not give it immunity. If it allows terrorists to operate from its territory, if it fires across the border, and if it refuses to honour basic obligations of neighbourly conduct, then it must bear the consequences. Pakistan cannot secure peace in the wider region while leaving its own frontier exposed.
Diplomacy should remain open to those willing to act responsibly. But diplomacy without deterrence is hollow. As long as the western border remains insecure, Pakistan must continue hitting the Taliban and their terrorist allies hard. National security cannot be suspended in the hope that Kabul may eventually change course. The lesson must be made clear: aggression against Pakistan will be answered, and terrorist sanctuaries will not be tolerated.
