Migrant panic as over 3,000 immigrants deported in one day in brutal crackdown | World | News
Pakistan has stepped up its deportation of Afghan refugees, as tensions between the two countries continue to rise. The latest deportations come as Pakistan’s Defence Minister insisted that recent military strikes against the Taliban were intelligence-led and fully justified.
Islamabad has accused Afghanistan’s leadership of providing military support and shelter to the Pakistan Taliban (TTP). The militia has carried out a number of lethal attacks against security forces in Pakistan, killing and wounding many people. Pakistan’s army chief has claimed that around 70% of TTP fighters are Afghan nationals.
It is currently believed that there are around three million Afghans living in Pakistan. Islamabad has vowed to deport all of them, as it implements a sweeping and brutal crackdown.
In the latest round of expulsions, more than 3,500 Afghan refugees were returned to their native country from Pakistan and Iran.
Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), announced the news on his X account.
He said 745 families — totalling 3,513 individuals — returned to Afghanistan on Wednesday.
The returnees entered the country through several crossings, including Islam Qala in Herat, Pul-i-Abresham in Nimroz, Spin Boldak in Kandahar, Bahramcha in Helmand and Torkham in Nangarhar.
He also noted that on Tuesday, a further 3,610 Afghan migrants were repatriated from Iran and Pakistan.
Pakistan has carried out a number of military strikes inside Afghanistan in retaliation for attacks carried out by the TTP.
Since mid-October, its military has bombed several sites in Kabul, Kandahar, Khost and Paktika provinces.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the operations were aimed at dismantling bases of the TTP, which Islamabad has accused of carrying out attacks from Afghan territory.
He added the strikes were carried out on the basis of intelligence and evidence, citing a recent report by the United Nations Security Council, which showed militant groups crossing into Pakistan from Afghanistan.
