Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated following a late-night cross-border attack by Afghanistan on Saturday, which it claims resulted in the deaths of 58 Pakistani soldiers. The operation was launched in response to earlier Pakistani bombardments on Kabul.
Afghan Forces Claim 25 Checkpoints Captured, 58 Soldiers Killed
Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban government, stated that Afghan forces seized 25 Pakistani army checkpoints during the overnight operations. He further claimed that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 30 others were injured in the intense clashes.
Concerns Over ISIS Presence in Pakistan
Afghan Defense Minister Maulvi Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid held a press conference on Sunday, leveling serious accusations against Pakistan. He alleged that a specific group within the Pakistani military is attempting to undermine Afghanistan's security and spread unrest. Mujahid claimed this group engages in false propaganda, incites division among Afghans, and promotes border attacks. Crucially, he accused this Pakistani faction of turning a blind eye. To the presence of ISIS, which he stated is continuously committing crimes.
Pakistan as a Hub for Terrorist Planning
The Defense Minister elaborated, stating that Pakistan has ignored the presence of ISIS on its territory. He alleged that after the Islamic Emirate cleared its land of “seditionists,” new centers were established for them in Pashtunkhwa. New recruits for training in these centers were brought via Karachi and Islamabad airports. According to Mujahid, attacks on Tehran and Moscow were planned from these very centers, and attacks within Afghanistan are also orchestrated from them, with records and evidence to support these claims. He urged Pakistan to either remove key ISIS members from its soil or hand them over to the Islamic Emirate, emphasizing that ISIS poses a threat to many countries, including Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Issues Stern Warning
Afghanistan has issued a clear warning to Pakistan, asserting its full right to. Defend its aerial and ground borders, and stating that no attack will go unanswered. The escalating conflict has also led to the cancellation of a Pakistani delegation's visit to Kabul. Mujahid reiterated that any attack on Afghanistan would be met with a decisive and strong response, while he also mentioned that refugees from Waziristan are considered “heritage” by the Afghan people and are cared for. The Afghan government, while appealing for calm, made it explicit that. Any humiliating act or attack on the border wouldn't be tolerated.
