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Afghan media, including Tolo News, reported that the heavy gunfire between the Pakistani army and the Taliban forces caused panic among local civilians, prompting many to flee to safer areas. Neither side has yet confirmed any casualties. This comes after a recent Pakistani airstrike on four Afghan locations, killing approximately 50 people, whom Pakistan claimed to be members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) preparing for an attack. In retaliation, the Taliban launched severe assaults on Pakistani military posts.
In a response to the Pakistani airstrike, the Taliban claimed to have killed nearly 18 Pakistani soldiers and destroyed several of their posts. The TTP also took advantage of the situation, capturing Pakistani military positions. The TTP released videos showing their occupation of these posts, although the Pakistani military argued that they had strategically vacated these posts.
After this embarrassment, Pakistan’s military once again attacked Taliban positions under the cover of night. The escalating back-and-forth between Pakistan and the Taliban has significantly increased tensions between the two countries, raising fears of a full-scale war.
The Taliban has also made it clear that they do not recognize the Durand Line, a border demarcation drawn by the British. Meanwhile, Pakistan has turned its focus to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land connecting Afghanistan to China. It is believed that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, is planning a strategy to encircle the Taliban. The recent visit of the head of ISI to Tajikistan further suggests that Pakistan may be preparing for intensified military action against the Taliban.
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