KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Pakistan is seeking written assurances and a defined timeline from the Taliban to take action against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates, officials said, as talks are set to be held in Doha following one of the deadliest weeks of cross-border violence in years.
Citing Pakistani officials, The Express Tribune reported that Islamabad has given diplomacy another chance at Qatar’s request, which is mediating between the two sides, adding there would be “nothing less, nothing more.”
The Doha discussions follow a week of intense clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, including Pakistani airstrikes and retaliatory actions by Taliban forces. The Taliban delegation, led by Defense Minister Mullah Yaqob, departed for Doha earlier on Saturday, while Defense Minister Khawaja Asif reportedly heads Pakistan’s team.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that at least 37 civilians were killed and 425 wounded during the week-long hostilities across border provinces, including Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Kunar, Kandahar, and Helmand. Pakistan confirmed that 23 of its soldiers were killed on the first day of the clashes.
Following the expiration of a 48-hour ceasefire on Friday evening, Pakistani forces conducted fresh airstrikes in Paktika province around 8 p.m. local time. Taliban authorities said at least 10 people were killed and eight were injured in the strikes. The group initially vowed retaliation but later refrained. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Saturday that, while condemning the attacks, the Taliban would hold off on any response to preserve the “dignity and integrity” of its negotiating team.
The latest escalation marks one of the most serious flare-ups since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, raising fears of a wider conflict in a region already struggling with militant activity and humanitarian crises.
Pakistan has accused the Taliban of providing shelter to TTP leaders and fighters responsible for dozens of deadly attacks on Pakistani security forces in recent years, allegations the Taliban deny.
Analysts say that it is unlikely the Taliban will take decisive action against the TTP, given the shared ideology and historical cooperation between the two groups during the insurgency against the Western-backed Afghan government and international forces.
