The Taliban government has confirmed its involvement in attacks against Pakistani troops across various mountainous regions along the northern border. The situation escalated as the Taliban described these operations as retaliatory, following claims that Pakistan had violated Afghan airspace and conducted airstrikes on a market within Afghanistan's territory on Thursday. The details surrounding the casualties from these attacks remain unclear.
Reacting to the Taliban's actions, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the assaults as unprovoked and accused the Taliban of targeting civilians. He warned that Pakistani forces would respond decisively, stating, "We will respond with a stone for every brick." This statement underscores the heightened tensions between the two nations, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of providing a safe haven for terrorists who conduct operations against Pakistan.
The escalating conflict comes amid a historic visit by Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to India. Reports indicate that both sides have utilized small arms and artillery in the Kunar-Kurram region, contributing to the ongoing violence. Minister Naqvi strongly condemned the Taliban's actions, labeling the firing by Afghan forces at civilian areas as a "blatant violation of international laws." He described Afghanistan's actions as a "game of fire and blood" in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter).
A Pakistani military spokesman indicated that necessary measures would be implemented to protect Pakistani lives and property. Although the military has not made an official statement, a security source revealed to the BBC that firing was reported at several locations along the Pakistani-Afghan border, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral, and Baramcha. A police official stationed near the Zero Point in Kurram district reported heavy weapons fire originating from the Afghan side at around 22:00 local time (17:00 GMT), with intense gunfire reported from multiple border locations.
Last week, the Taliban government accused Pakistan of violating its sovereign territory, coinciding with two loud blasts heard late Thursday in Kabul. The Taliban Defence Ministry claimed that Pakistan had bombed a civilian market in Paktika, a province located in southeastern Afghanistan, stating that numerous shops were destroyed as a result. In response, a senior Pakistani general alleged that Afghanistan was being used as a base for terrorist operations against Pakistan.
Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of allowing the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan soil, launching attacks against the Islamabad government in pursuit of imposing a strict Islamic governance system. The Taliban government, however, has consistently denied these allegations.
The latest surge in hostilities coincides with the Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister's visit to India. During this diplomatic thaw, India announced plans to reopen its embassy in Kabul, which had been closed since the Taliban's return to power four years ago. Minister Naqvi further warned that Afghanistan would face consequences akin to those faced by India if it continued its hostile posture towards Pakistan.
In light of the escalating tensions, Saudi Arabia, which recently signed a mutual defense pact with Pakistan, has called for restraint and urged both Islamabad and Kabul to avoid further escalation. Similarly, Qatar expressed concern regarding the border tensions and emphasized the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and restraint between the two nations.
