The Taliban are sending’mixed signals’ about the TTP, and Asif warns against trusting them and encourages decisive action.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned against taking the Afghan Taliban regime’s “mixed signals” on action against proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and said that no substantive change has taken place in backing for militant groups operating against Pakistan.

Asif responded to news that Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has ordered the TTP to stop attacks inside Pakistan.

However, such reports have yet to convert into any actual improvements on the ground, the minister maintained, adding that support for TTP militants remained unchanged. He called on the Taliban leadership to clearly and firmly cease supporting the banned group.

Asif warned about mixed signals from Kabul saying it would be risky to bank on them and added that Pakistan has not seen any significant action against terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil.

In February 2026 Pakistan started Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, months after a ceasefire was struck in October 2025 following border fighting between the two countries. Several rounds of talks have been held but Islamabad and Kabul have failed to bridge their differences with Pakistan constantly calling on the Afghan authorities to act against militant groups exploiting Afghan soil to launch strikes.

Separately, Asif dismissed the statement of India’s army commander last week, saying New Delhi was still trying to recover from its defeat in last year’s military standoff with Pakistan.

In response to claims that Operation Sindoor was still ongoing and might be expanded if needed, the defence minister said Pakistan was fully prepared to fight any future military action.

He also accused India of using Afghanistan as a venue for proxy war against Pakistan, and warned of a harsh response from Pakistan’s armed forces if hostilities were to be resumed.

Speaking about the earlier face-off, Asif said Pakistan had defended itself successfully and any future danger will be met with a strong response.