'Will Be Met With Force': Pakistan Army Chief On Border Violations Amid Afghanistan Tensions

Last Updated:October 21, 2025, 20:25 IST

Asim Munir said Pakistan is committed to regional peace and stability. However, he stressed that any breach of the country’s territorial integrity will not be tolerated

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir. (AP file photo)

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Tuesday issued a warning, saying any violation of the country’s borders will be met with a “firm and decisive response". His remarks come amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following recent clashes along their shared frontier.

Speaking at the 17th Workshop on Balochistan held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Munir said Pakistan is committed to regional peace and stability. However, he stressed that any breach of the country’s territorial integrity, whether direct or indirect, will not be tolerated.

“While Pakistan seeks regional peace and stability, any violation of its territorial integrity, direct or indirect, will be met with a firm and decisive response to safeguard the lives and well-being of its citizens," Munir was quoted as saying in an official army statement.

The Army Chief also addressed ongoing efforts to combat terrorism in Balochistan, a province he described as the pride of Pakistan, with resilient and patriotic people. He highlighted the development projects being implemented by federal and provincial governments to improve the socio-economic conditions of the region through a people-centred approach.

Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both sharing porous borders with Afghanistan, have suffered the majority of terrorist attacks in Pakistan, accounting for more than 96% of the violence nationwide.

The Army Chief’s comments follow a recent flare-up in violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan. On October 9, explosions in Kabul sparked a series of cross-border clashes — the worst since the Taliban took control in 2021.

The Taliban government blamed Pakistan for the blasts, while Pakistan accused Taliban forces of harbouring militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.

After days of fighting that resulted in casualties on both sides, the two neighbours agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire on Wednesday, which was later extended on Sunday. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed the ceasefire and said further talks are scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul.

Since the Taliban’s return to power, Pakistan has experienced a rise in militant activity, especially near the 2,600-kilometre border. Islamabad accuses armed groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of operating from safe havens inside Afghanistan — allegations consistently denied by the Taliban authorities.

(With inputs from agencies)

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