Marco Rubio raises Pakistan's concerns over Afghan-based terrorism at G20 meet amid border tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged Pakistan's concerns over alleged terrorist attacks originating from Afghanistan, saying Washington does not want Islamabad to become a target of terrorism. His remarks came amid escalating military tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with both sides accusing each other of launching cross-border attacks.

Speaking to reporters after the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Rubio said Pakistan believed the Afghan Taliban had failed to take adequate action against militant groups operating from its territory.

"Pakistan is concerned about terrorist attacks that are being sponsored from the territory of Afghanistan. They feel that the Taliban has not done enough to constrain those attacks, and they've taken action against it," Rubio said.

He added that the US had heard Islamabad's concerns and did not want Pakistan to be targeted by terrorism.

"We obviously don't want them to be targeted for terrorism. So, if there's a productive role for us to play, we would play it," Rubio said, adding that Washington did not have particularly close relations with the Taliban.

The US Secretary of State also said Washington opposed terrorism regardless of where it originated or whom it targeted, and had taken note of the attacks cited by Pakistan.

Pakistan retaliates against Afghan Taliban border positions

Rubio's comments came as Pakistan's military reportedly carried out retaliatory strikes against several Afghan Taliban border posts, defensive bunkers and military installations following cross-border firing in South Waziristan and Parachinar districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, Afghan Taliban forces opened what Islamabad described as "unprovoked" fire in the Angoor Adda area of South Waziristan on October 27. Pakistani forces subsequently responded using heavy weapons against Taliban positions across the border.

The Pakistani state media report claimed that several Afghan Taliban personnel were killed in the strikes, while others abandoned their positions. However, these claims could not be independently verified.

The October 27 exchange of fire also reportedly resulted in civilian casualties and damage to property in the border region. Pakistani officials said one civilian was killed and five others were injured after mortar shells struck the Angoor Adda bazaar.

Pakistan maintained that its military response was directed at Afghan Taliban positions following the firing on its territory.

Kabul accuses Pakistan of launching drone strikes

Afghanistan's Defence Ministry offered a contrasting account of the border confrontation, accusing Pakistan of initiating the hostilities.

In a statement posted on X on October 28, the ministry alleged that Pakistani military personnel had carried out four drone strikes targeting the Angoor Adda market and a commission in Afghanistan's Baktika province around noon on October 27.

It claimed that the attacks had taken place without any provocation or justification and said Afghan forces subsequently retaliated by targeting Pakistani military headquarters and nearby positions.

The Afghan ministry claimed that its response resulted in the "killing and wounding of a number of Pakistani soldiers", besides causing significant damage to military facilities.

Pakistan rejected Afghanistan's account, describing the allegations as false and fabricated. Islamabad maintained that Afghan forces had initiated the firing and mortar attacks against Pakistani border posts and residential areas.

Neither side's claims about the military casualties and damage could be independently verified.

Why Pakistan and Afghanistan are at loggerheads

Relations between the neighbouring countries have deteriorated significantly over Islamabad's allegations that the Afghan Taliban government is providing shelter to militants belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the TTP of using Afghan territory to plan and organise attacks inside the country. Islamabad has urged Kabul to take verifiable action against militant sanctuaries and prevent cross-border terrorism.

The Afghan Taliban government has rejected the allegations, maintaining that it does not allow its territory to be used by militant groups to launch attacks against Pakistan.

The dispute over the TTP has remained a major obstacle to improving bilateral relations, with repeated border clashes and military strikes further deepening tensions.

Pakistan has also accused the Taliban leadership of failing to address its security concerns, while Kabul has blamed Islamabad for violating Afghan sovereignty through military operations and drone attacks.

Rubio's remarks indicate that Washington has taken note of Islamabad's concerns. He said the US would be willing to play a constructive role if it could help address the situation, while reiterating its opposition to terrorism irrespective of its origin or target.