KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former envoy to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, has described the recent border clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan as “unfortunate” and called on the Taliban to draw lessons from the events.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Durani emphasized, “TTP is a red line, and no one should be allowed to cross it.”
On Tuesday night, Pakistan’s military conducted airstrikes in Paktika province, which the Taliban claim resulted in 46 deaths, including women and children.
Islamabad described the strikes as an “intelligence-based operation,” targeting what it alleged were Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts. However, reports from UN agencies, including UNAMA and UNICEF, indicated that the strikes killed dozens of civilians, including at least 20 children.
In response, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense announced retaliatory attacks across the Durand Line, claiming to have targeted “the bases and hideouts of malicious elements and their supporters” within Pakistan.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Pakistan has experienced a surge in armed attacks, which it attributes to the TTP. Islamabad alleges that TTP leaders operate from Afghan territory, using it as a base to launch cross-border attacks.
The Taliban, however, denies these claims, claiming that the TTP is based within Pakistan and controls parts of its territory.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has previously stated that the Taliban is not responsible for Pakistan’s internal security issues.
Tensions between the two neighbors have steadily escalated since the Taliban takeover, with Pakistan repeatedly calling on the Taliban to disarm the TTP and hand over its leadership. The issue remains a significant source of friction, further straining relations between Islamabad and Kabul.
