Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed on Thursday, October 16 (24 Mizan) that the recent wave of terrorist attacks inside Pakistan was conducted by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan under the direction of India.

According to AnsarPress , Sharif made the remarks during a cabinet meeting, alleging that the attacks coincided with the presence of Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban`s acting foreign minister, in New Delhi.

Sharif stressed that Pakistan had no choice but to respond to the assaults, adding that any ceasefire would be accepted only if it was not intended to buy time.

"Islamabad is ready for dialogue," he said, "but only if the Taliban accept legitimate conditions. The ball is now in their court."

The prime minister also acknowledged Qatar`s mediation efforts to reduce tensions and called on the Taliban to prevent Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from using Afghan soil to launch attacks against Pakistan.

In response, a spokesperson for India`s Ministry of External Affairs rejected Sharif`s accusations, instead accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorists, and claimed that Islamabad blames its neighbors to deflect from its own internal failures.

Analysts note that Sharif`s allegations reflect the deepening security rivalry and geopolitical competition between Pakistan and India in the region. The remarks also appear to be part of psychological pressure on the Taliban to cut ties with the TTP.

However, the absence of public evidence to substantiate Pakistan`s claims and the strong rebuttal from New Delhi suggest a growing risk of covert escalation between the two nuclear-armed rivals - particularly through proxy activities in Afghanistan, which continues to serve as a theater for regional shadow conflict.