Asim Munir's ‘peace and chaos’ warning to Afghanistan amid fresh border escalations

Earlier, Pakistan's strike on Afghanistan killed 10 civillians, including three cricketers.

Updated on: Oct 18, 2025, 16:02:24 IST

By HT News Desk

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Amid the ongoing escalation with Afghanistan, Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Saturday asked Kabul to take a firm stand against terrorists targeting Pakistan from its soil and warned it to choose between “peace and chaos”, news agency PTI reported.

Kabul denies Pak's allegations, insisting that Afghan soil is not being used against any neighbouring country.

Choose between “peace and chaos”, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) said, referring to Afghanistan while addressing a graduation ceremony of passing out army cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul at Abbottabad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Also read: A ceasefire breach, Pak minister's 'return' warning to Afghans, 3 cricketers' death: What's happening

Blaming terrorists operating from Afghanistan for attacking Pakistan, Munir said the Taliban regime should act decisively against them.

All proxies using Afghan soil would be met with a response to “raise them to dust”, Munir warned.

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have flared up since last weekend when Taliban forces launched retaliatory strikes against Pakistan for allegedly attacking the Afghan capital Kabul, which the latter blamed it for.

Also read: ‘Whenever Afghanistan moves closer to India…’: Ex-MP slams Pakistan Army chief after 3 cricketers killed

The fighting along the border, which was halted after Qatar and Saudi's intervention, resumed on Tuesday. The two sides reached a fragile truce for 48 hours and extended it till the conclusion of talks which are set to begin shortly in Doha. However, the hostilities began again on Friday after Pakistan's strike on Afghanistan killed 10 civillians, including three local cricketers.

Islamabad has consistently urged the Taliban government to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory for cross-border attacks. Kabul, however, denies these allegations, insisting that Afghan soil is not being used against any neighbouring country.

Also read: PCB breaks silence after Afghanistan pull out of tri-series owing to Pakistan's air strikes

The situation deteriorated between the two neighbours following repeated terrorist attacks by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegedly using the Afghan soil, including one in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Orakzai district recently, which claimed the lives of 11 military personnel, including a Lt Colonel and a Major.

Meanwhile, Reuters also quoted a Pakistani security officials saying that the ceasefire was struck with the Afghan Taliban, and not with the Islamist militants holed up in Afghanistan, who launch attacks in Pakistan.

According to Afghanistan's Tolo News, the airstrikes reportedly targeted residential areas in the Urgun and Barmal districts of the country, causing significant civilian casualties.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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