Islamabad: Pakistan’s military spokesperson has accused India of being the main sponsor of terrorism in Pakistan, identifying the country as the primary backer of groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The statement comes amid escalating tensions in the region and ongoing security concerns.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, highlighted a range of regional security issues in an interview with Reuters. He pointed to the presence of several militant organizations, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), operating within Afghanistan.

Chaudhry described Afghanistan as being governed by a non-state entity, referring to it as a regime rather than a state. He expressed Pakistan’s concerns regarding the use of non-state actors, militias, and armed groups for strategic objectives, a practice he claims has deepened since the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan.

He further stated that Pakistan is engaging with Afghanistan and has requested that it refrain from supporting terrorism within Pakistan and cease providing refuge to terrorist leaders. He specifically named Noor Wali Kharji, Bashir Zeb of the BLA, and Gul Bahadur as individuals being harbored by the Afghan Taliban.

Chaudhry emphasized that militant formations are entering Pakistan from Afghanistan and receiving weaponry there. He cautioned that the Afghan Taliban regime could face serious consequences if it fails to address Pakistan’s concerns regarding terrorism.

The DG ISPR also criticized the Afghan Taliban’s lack of international credibility and called on the global community to pressure the regime to act as a conventional state and halt drug cultivation and production. He reassured that Pakistan’s armed forces are prepared to counter threats, including those involving drones, from the Afghan regime.