Islamabad, Pakistan –
Pakistan-Afghanistan Tensions Rise Over Cross-Border Strikes
Islamabad, Pakistan –
Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul was summoned by the Afghan Foreign Ministry on Thursday. The move followed what the Taliban government described as Pakistani military strikes in Nangarhar and Khost provinces. This incident highlights renewed tensions between the two neighboring countries.
Afghan Protest Over Civilian Casualties
Afghan officials strongly condemned the strikes. They claimed that three civilians were killed and seven others were injured.
In its official note, the Afghan Foreign Ministry criticized Pakistan for violating Afghan airspace. It said the attacks on civilian areas near the Durand Line were “a blatant breach of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and a provocative act.” The ministry emphasized that protecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty is a red line for the “Islamic Emirate” and warned that such actions would have serious consequences.
Pakistan has not responded to the summons of its envoy or the reported cross-border strikes on Wednesday night.
Local Impact in Nangarhar
Officials in Nangarhar reported that two drone strikes hit a residence in the Shinwar district. The province’s deputy governor, Maulvi Azizullah Mustafa, stressed that Afghanistan is committed to peace, regional stability, and strong relations with neighboring countries. He warned that these incidents could undermine these efforts.
Background of Cross-Border Tensions
Tensions come amid ongoing disputes over cross-border terrorism. Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has increased attacks inside Pakistan since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul.
Although Islamabad occasionally carries out strikes to target terrorist hideouts, Kabul consistently protests these actions. The Afghan government calls them violations of its sovereignty.
Earlier this year, relations further deteriorated when Pakistan closed key border crossings after a rise in terrorist attacks. Afghanistan responded with restrictions on trade and movement. This latest incident shows that bilateral ties remain fragile despite recent attempts at dialogue.
Diplomatic Efforts
High-level exchanges have occurred in recent months, but progress on security issues has been limited. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently visited Kabul for a trilateral meeting with Chinese and Afghan counterparts. In a bilateral discussion with Taliban interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Dar expressed concern over the lack of progress in addressing TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan. He linked these safe havens to the recent surge in attacks inside Pakistan.
The Afghan foreign minister was scheduled to visit Islamabad earlier this month. However, the trip was canceled after the UN Security Council could not grant travel exemptions due to objections from the United States. Both sides plan to reschedule the visit, but the recent developments make it uncertain when Muttaqi will travel to Pakistan.
High-level exchanges have taken place in recent months, but progress on security issues has been limited. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently visited Kabul for a trilateral meeting with Chinese and Afghan counterparts. In a bilateral discussion with Taliban interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Dar expressed Pakistan’s concern over the lack of progress in addressing TTP sanctuaries in Afghanistan, linking them to a recent surge in attacks inside Pakistan.
The Afghan foreign minister was scheduled to visit Islamabad earlier this month, but the trip was canceled after the UN Security Council could not grant travel exemptions due to objections from the United States. While both sides have planned to reschedule the visit, the recent developments make it uncertain when Muttaqi will travel to Pakistan.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE