Pakistan tightens security amid threat of attacks by Afghan militants — Reuters

Pakistan has stepped up security measures nationwide over the risk of attacks by militants operating from Afghanistan, said Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.

“Our armed forces have been placed on high alert to counter the terrorist threat,” Chaudhry said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

Security forces have arrested numerous suspects in recent weeks, including Afghan nationals, the minister stated. According to Chaudhry, additional evidence has emerged linking militants based in Afghanistan to recent terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. Intelligence assessments indicate that further assaults in Pakistani provinces could be imminent.

On February 22, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced that the military had carried out precision strikes against bases of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group, known as ISIS-Khorasan. The ministry said the operation was conducted in response to recent attacks in Pakistan, including a bombing at a mosque in Islamabad.

Afghan authorities reported that a significant number of civilians were killed in the Pakistani strike, describing it as a “provocation.” Officials in Kabul said Afghanistan reserves the right to take decisive action in response to what they called a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

By Khagan Isayev