The ongoing border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have taken a sharp turn as Pakistan has warned of more cross-border airstrikes against Afghanistan’s Paktika province.
Islamabad’s decision follows its recent airstrikes that targeted hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghan territory, sparking outrage and threats from Kabul.
Pakistan’s government has defended its airstrikes, which occurred on December 24, 2024, in Afghanistan, claiming its right to continue operations if Afghan soil is used to launch attacks on Pakistan.
Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, made the remarks, emphasizing that Pakistan has the legal authority to act in self-defence. “If Afghan soil is used to attack Pakistan, we have the right to continue these operations,” Sanaullah told local media.
The December airstrikes in Paktika province resulted in the deaths of 46 people, including women and children, and attracted widespread international condemnation. These strikes were the second instance in 2024 where Pakistan directly hit civilian areas within Afghanistan’s borders. A similar attack in March 2024 killed eight people, including three children.
The Pakistani airstrikes have prompted sharp rebukes from Afghan officials, who have described the attacks as violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi warned that such actions could lead to a major conflict. “Afghans will not forget the invasion of their territory,” he said, calling for a more measured policy from Pakistan.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai also issued a stark warning over the weekend, claiming Afghanistan’s fighters had the potential to act like an “atomic bomb.” “If we release just five sons of Mahmud Ghaznavi, Babur, and Ahmad Shah Abdali, then not even the Indian Ocean will be able to stop them,” Stanikzai threatened, addressing a ceremony in Kabul.
Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter and support to the TTP, including financial backing for their operations against Pakistan. The Pakistani government asserts that Afghanistan’s failure to take action against these insurgents prompted the recent airstrikes.
The TTP, meanwhile, continues to launch attacks on military and security targets within Pakistan. Recently, the group announced its intention to expand its attacks beyond traditional military sites, targeting businesses and entities linked to the Pakistani military.
The TTP also targeted political parties, particularly the ruling Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), warning them to stop referring to the group as “fitna al khawarij,” a derogatory term used by some political leaders. The group has threatened attacks if such references continue.
As tensions rise, both Pakistan and Afghanistan face a volatile situation, with military actions and diplomatic confrontations fueling fears of a broader conflict in the region.
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