Pakistan: Open war with the Taliban in Afghanistan
Pakistan has launched airstrikes against Taliban positions in Afghanistan following an increase in cross-border attacks.
Recent military engagements between Pakistan and the Taliban have intensified, characterized by airstrikes and retaliatory attacks along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The Taliban has confirmed that after a series of air assaults on major Afghan cities such as Kabul and Kandahar, they have initiated extensive counter-responses targeting Pakistani military positions. This exchange of hostilities signifies a deeper involvement of Pakistan in Afghan affairs as tensions rise in the region.
Pakistan has reported conducting airstrikes on Taliban targets in Kabul and Kandahar, as indicated by Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. These airstrikes are part of a broader military strategy aimed at addressing the Taliban's increasing aggressions against Pakistani forces. Reports from Kabul indicate heavy artillery fire and the sounds of aerial operations, suggesting a volatile security environment in Afghanistan's capital, which is exacerbated by these escalating confrontations.
The conflict appears to have taken a toll on both sides, as Pakistan claimed the death of at least 70 militants from armed groups as a result of recent operations, a claim that the Afghan authorities have denied. This mutual denouncement and the authoritative statements from both governments allude to a precarious state of affairs in Afghanistan, raising concerns about a wider conflict that could destabilize the region further. The situation remains fluid and demands close monitoring, given its implications for both countries' security strategies.