Delhi and Kabul on the Same Page, Defence Minister Asif

In a high-stakes interview with FRANCE 24 on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif accused India and the Taliban-led Afghan government of working in tandem to destabilize Pakistan. His remarks come amidst a sharp spike in cross-border militancy and a recent, devastating bombing at a mosque in Islamabad.

The “Proxy War” Narrative

Asif characterized the current wave of terrorism in Pakistan as a coordinated “proxy war.”

• Kabul’s Complicity: He stated that the Afghan government is not just failing to curb terrorism but is “complicit” in harboring the TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan).
• The India Link: Asif alleged that New Delhi and Kabul are “on the same page” regarding strikes against Pakistan, claiming that militants on the western border are being “sponsored by India.”
• Regional Regret: Interestingly, Asif admitted that Pakistan is paying the “price of the 1980s and post-9/11 decisions,” acknowledging that historical choices have led to the current breakdown with Afghanistan.

The Military Threat: Strikes on Afghanistan

The Minister issued a direct warning that Islamabad “won’t hesitate” to launch air operations inside Afghanistan.

“Unless someone in Kabul can underwrite peace, military action remains on the table.” This follows a series of deadly border clashes in late 2025. In a sign of slight de-escalation, Asif did note the release of three Pakistani soldiers by the Taliban on Tuesday (Feb 17) via Saudi mediation, but he maintained that the overall security threat remains critical.

https://f24.my/BkR1

On Gaza: Peacekeeping, Not Peace Enforcement

Addressing the Board of Peace summit in Washington, Asif clarified Pakistan’s stance on contributing to a proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza:

• Experience: He highlighted Pakistan’s long history as one of the world’s largest UN peacekeeping contributors.
• The “Mandate” Condition: He stated that participation depends entirely on the Terms of Reference (TOR).
• Disarmament: Asif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have previously signaled that Pakistan is willing to protect civilians but will not participate in disarming Hamas, viewing that as an internal Palestinian matter.

On Israel: No Normalization

Despite regional trends, Asif was categorical about Pakistan’s relationship with Israel:

• Status: Normalization is “not even being considered.”
• Prerequisite: He reiterated that no shift will occur until Palestinians are granted the right of self-determination and a viable two-state solution is established.

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Current Security Context (Feb 2026)

The Minister’s rhetoric reflects a “two-front” pressure on Pakistan:

1. Eastern Front: Lingering tensions following the May 2025 military skirmish with India (Operation Sindoor).
2. Western Front: Continued TTP attacks from Afghan soil, leading to the deployment of the Azm-e-Istehkam military campaign domestically.

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