Pakistan’s leadership vows ‘decisive response’ to any threat amid fresh clashes with Afghanistan

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Pakistan’s top civilian leadership on Friday vowed a “decisive response” to any threat against the nation’s territorial integrity amid the latest clashes with Afghanistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan’s armed forces have delivered a “comprehensive and decisive” response.

“Those who mistake our peace for weakness will face a strong response — and no one will be beyond reach,” he said on the US social media company X’s platform.

In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that both the people of Pakistan and the armed forces remain fully prepared at all times to safeguard the country’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said the Armed Forces of Pakistan are determined not to allow any harm to come to the nation’s peace and security under any circumstances.

“Our forces possess the full capability to crush any aggressive designs,” he added.

At least eight Afghan soldiers and two Pakistani soldiers were killed Thursday after Kabul launched what it called a “retaliatory operation” across the border.

Later, Afghanistan's deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said the “four-hour battle” was halted at midnight local time.

The Pakistan Air Force also carried out fresh airstrikes on the capital Kabul and Kandahar and Paktia provinces.