Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry clarified that Pakistan never targets Afghan civilians and conducts announced operations solely against terrorism.

His comments came after the Taliban government’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, alleged on X that Pakistani forces had carried out air strikes on Monday night in three Afghan provinces — Paktika, Khost, and Kunar — claiming 10 casualties in Khost’s Gurbuz district.

Responding, the DG ISPR reiterated that Pakistan conducts operations openly and urged the Afghan Taliban to act as a responsible state rather than as a non-state actor.

“Ground realities show there is no distinction between Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan and the TTP,” he added.

He noted that non-custom paid vehicles have frequently been used in terrorist activities and stressed that immediate restrictions must be imposed on them.

Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif underlined that Pakistan responds as a state.

The DG ISPR stressed that security considerations must take precedence over commercial interests.

“Blood and business cannot run together. It is not possible for attacks to continue while trade also goes on. Our fight is not against the Afghan people; it is against terrorism.”

He also said a political party was running anti-state campaigns on social media from abroad.

Providing an update on counterterrorism efforts, the DG ISPR said that since November 4, security forces have conducted 4,910 operations — averaging 232 per day — in response to 336 terrorist incidents.

Regarding former ISI chief Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed, the ISPR chief said his trial is a legal matter and warned against speculations.

“When the matter reaches its final conclusion, it will be announced immediately,” he said.