KABUL - Deputy Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Murad Ali Murad on Sunday asserted Afghanistan's preparedness to respond with full force against any foreign aggression.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for 1,400 soldiers and staff sergeants, Gen. Murad said Afghanistan was fighting a war that was being planned and supported from a neighbouring state.

“You, the guardians of your motherland, should know the nature of the ongoing conflict and be prepared to repulse enemy attacks and counter their nefarious designs,” he said, promising Afghanistan would never bow to foreign atrocities.

Gen. Murad insisted Afghanistan never harboured nefarious designs but “it is our neighbours who are fuelling the conflict in our country.” He said the neighbouring countries had been informed to stop infiltration of terrorists into Afghanistan.

He vowed a tit-for-tat response to cross-border rocket strikes, saying Afghanistan was not an atomic power, but the determination of its people and armed forces was even stronger. (Pajhwok)