ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s recent defensive operations against militants operating from Afghan territory have been framed by some religious and state voices as consistent with Islamic law that permits self-defence, a claim rooted in traditional hadith and contemporary security concerns.
In this regard, a widely cited hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim recounts an exchange in which the Prophet Muhammad instructed a man not to surrender his property to an attacker, to fight if the attacker fights, and explained that one killed defending their property would be considered a martyr.
Furthermore, the theological argument is complemented by scriptural guidance that forbids transgression and allows armed response to aggression principles often referenced in discussions of justifiable defence in Islamic jurisprudence.
In this sense, Islamabad has accused the Afghan Taliban of permitting or failing to prevent attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups launching strikes into Pakistani territory.
Those allegations precipitated recent border clashes described by officials as among the deadliest in years and prompted emergency diplomacy involving regional mediators.
Pakistan has defended its operations as necessary measures to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from cross-border militancy.
The recent exchanges of fire have produced civilian casualties and displacement, underscoring the acute need for calibrated, law-abiding responses and renewed dialogue to prevent further escalation.
The government say any use of force will be measured and tied to concrete security goals, while urging Kabul’s leadership to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil as a launchpad.
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Meanwhile, the religious leaders who support Islamabad’s approach insist that defending the nation’s people does not override obligations to protect civilians and to pursue peaceful resolution where possible.
