Pakistan, Oct. 16 -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Afghan Taliban attacked Pakistan under India's influence. He stated that Pakistan was forced to respond strongly. Speaking at a federal cabinet meeting, he said Pakistan shares a long border with Afghanistan and has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades. He emphasized that Pakistan supported Afghans despite limited resources and maintained relations of brotherhood. However, he regretted that Afghan militants are now targeting Pakistan's soldiers, police, and citizens, creating tension between the two neighbors.

The Prime Minister recalled that terrorism had ended in 2018, but it returned later due to policy mistakes. He said the government at that time allowed terrorist...