(AP photo)
Once considered a close patron of the Taliban, Pakistan is now engaged in intense fighting with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan along their shared international border, known as the Durand Line. Decades of complex ties have unravelled, exposing the fragility of this long and volatile frontier.Pakistani forces claimed they killed over 200 Taliban and “affiliated terrorists” in self-defence actions responding to attacks by Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to the Pakistan army.
‘Precision strikes in Afghanistan’
In a statement reported by Geo TV, the Pakistan army said, “Pakistani forces carried out precision strikes, as well as physical raids, directed against Taliban camps and posts, terrorist training facilities and support networks operating from Afghan territory.”It added, “Multiple Taliban locations were destroyed all along the border; 21 hostile positions on the Afghan side of the border were also briefly physically captured and multiple terrorist training camps, used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan, were rendered inoperative.”
‘Inflicted heavy losses’
The foreign ministry of Pakistan also highlighted actions taken against its neighbouring country, alleging that the Taliban plotted to facilitate a terrorist attack using border infrastructure. It described the measures as “self-defence”: “Pakistan, exercising its right of self-defence, not only effectively repulsed the assaults all along the border, but also inflicted heavy losses on Taliban forces.”
Pakistan’s stern warning to Kabul
The statement also highlighted a strong warning to Taliban side as it added, “Any further provocations would be met with an unwavering and befitting response.”
Islamabad on India-Taliban meet
Pakistan further drew attention to recent diplomatic engagement between India and Afghanistan in New Delhi, stating, “Pakistan strongly rejects assertions and insinuations by the Afghan foreign minister in India to divert attention from the presence of terrorist elements in Afghanistan.”Afghan officials, however, claimed their forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight “retaliatory operations,” while Islamabad reported a far lower death toll of 23, describing the attacks as “unprovoked” and asserting it killed 200 Taliban fighters.These exchanges along the 2,600-kilometre Durand Line — which Afghanistan has never recognised, follow accusations by Kabul that Pakistan bombed Afghan territory.The border tensions have disrupted the Torkham crossing, a crucial trade route, and raised alarm across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have urged restraint, calling for dialogue to “maintain the security and stability of the region.” Go to Source
