Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has dismissed comparisons between Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations along the disputed Durand Line and what he described as India’s attacks on religious sites, saying such parallels are “entirely wrong and inappropriate.”

In a statement issued Tuesday, Asif said Pakistan’s military actions are strictly aimed at verified camps belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants operating from Afghanistan. He rejected claims equating these operations with India’s alleged strikes on mosques and religious seminaries in Bahawalpur and Muridke, stressing that Pakistan does not target religious or civilian sites.

The defence minister said the international community, including the United Nations, has repeatedly expressed concern over the threat of terrorism they claim is originating from Afghanistan. He said these concerns are reinforced by continued militant infiltration and attacks inside Pakistan, which, according to him, are carried out by armed groups entering from Afghan territory.

Referring to India’s allegations surrounding the Pahalgam incident, Asif said New Delhi has failed to present credible or verifiable evidence to support its claims. He added that Pakistan had offered to cooperate with an independent and impartial investigation, an offer that India declined.

Asif further said a recent United Nations report had described India’s actions as illegal and based on unsubstantiated claims, while affirming that Pakistan’s response was justified under international law. He said Pakistan has already addressed and clarified allegations regarding India, what he termed proxy extremist elements, and their alleged supporters.

Reiterating Pakistan’s stance, the defence minister said the country remains vigilant and determined to protect its sovereignty and national security. He emphasized that Pakistan will continue its counterterrorism efforts and will challenge what he described as baseless accusations and hostile narratives at all international forums.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has consistently rejected Pakistan’s accusations, maintaining that Afghanistan does not allow any group to operate from its soil. Afghan authorities have repeatedly stated that Pakistan’s security challenges are an internal matter and should be addressed domestically.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said the recent arrest of a Daesh member across the Durand Line in Pakistan confirms earlier warnings issued by the Islamic Emirate regarding the group’s presence and activities in those areas.

In an audio message to Ariana News, Mujahid stated that the Islamic Emirate had repeatedly raised concerns about Daesh hideouts across the Durand Line and had publicly shared this information with the media.

“We clearly raised this issue through the media and reiterated it during press conferences. Those very disclosures are what we are now seeing the results of,” Mujahid said.

According to the spokesperson, the arrest of key Daesh members in areas beyond the Durand Line substantiates the Islamic Emirate’s claims that Daesh had established bases there and that senior figures of the group were present in those regions. He added that, regrettably, the presence of these individuals had been exploited—an issue the Islamic Emirate had highlighted on multiple occasions in the past.

The remarks come after Turkish state media reported that Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) had arrested a Turkish national with a senior role in the Daesh group during a large-scale operation in areas along the Afghanistan-Pakistan Durand Line.

Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, citing security sources, identified the suspect as Mehmet Goren, who allegedly operated within the Daesh Khorasan branch. According to the sources, Goren was responsible for organizing suicide attacks against civilians in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, and several European countries.

The report further stated that Turkish intelligence had determined Goren traveled from Turkey to the Afghanistan-Pakistan Durand Line, where he trained in Daesh camps and gradually rose to a leadership position within the group.

The developments have renewed focus on regional security concerns and the Islamic Emirate’s longstanding claims regarding Daesh activities outside Afghanistan’s borders.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony of 900 cadets from the Afghanistan Police Academy, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said the country is now secure and poses no threat to other nations.

Haqqani highlighted that the commitments made during the Doha talks, aimed at preventing threats emanating from Afghan soil, have been fully implemented.

“The Afghan police today enjoy the trust and support of the people, unlike in many countries where citizens fear security forces,” Haqqani said. He emphasized that police officers must uphold professionalism, fairness, and kindness in their interactions with the public, reinforcing the credibility of law enforcement.

The graduation ceremony also featured remarks from Rahmatullah Najib, Administrative Deputy of the Interior Ministry, who described the induction of 900 new cadets as a key step toward strengthening national security and enhancing public safety.

Haqqani further stressed that the government continues to work on practical measures for the safe return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, as well as addressing broader regional security and development challenges.

The remarks reflect ongoing efforts by Afghan authorities to bolster national institutions while reassuring the international community of Afghanistan’s commitment to peace and regional stability.