Foreign Office on Monday rejected the Afghan allegations of pushing militants into Afghanistan, saying operation Khyber-IV is part of the ongoing counterterrorism efforts and Afghan authorities were informed accordingly.
Commenting on a statement attributed to the Governor of the Afghan province of Kunar, Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria dismissed the allegation that Pakistan military operation Khyber-IV was meant to push militants into Afghanistan. He underlined that such statements were contrary to the spirit and understanding arrived at during recent engagements at the leadership level of the two countries. Such media headlines are misleading and part of the malicious campaign, he added.
"Khyber-IV is part of the ongoing counterterrorism operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. Our security forces have achieved success in fighting back terrorists," he said, adding the political leadership of the two countries had agreed that the two sides would coordinate and cooperate in their action to eradicate the menace of terrorism, which is a common challenge.
The Afghan Defense authorities were accordingly informed about operation Khyber-IV, he said, adding terrorists fleeing military action were to be dealt with by Afghan security forces. "So far we have received no support from Afghanistan in Operation Khyber IV," he added. He emphasized that effective border management is imperative to curb cross-border movement of terrorists. "Border management measures would facilitate movement of people, trade and transit and would be instrumental in curtailing the activities of terrorists, drug and human smugglers and other undesired elements," he added.