Pakistan Airstrikes Afghanistan: Pakistani airstrikes have targeted multiple suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Tehreek e Taliban in the neighboring Afghanistan. A Taliban government spokesperson has said that 46 people have been killed in the strikes. The airstrikes were carried out in the Barmal District of Paktika Province, of Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan.
Six explosions took place at the Tehreek e Taliban camp, and Pakistani jets were reported to be in the area. The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense has vowed to retaliate following the airstrike, saying defending their land and sovereignty is their legitimate right. Targeted airstrikes have caused severe civilian casualties and widespread destruction as recovery efforts continue, according to Afghan reports. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the presence of Tehreek e Taliban militants in Afghanistan were rising as TTP increased its attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, with Pakistan accusing the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter to these militants. Islamabad claims that the TTP uses Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan has targeted four TTP camps and also the office of TTP’s media arm. Pakistani officials have not officially confirmed the airstrikes.
The Taliban can harm Pakistan’s interests where it is going to cause pain, as conventional warfare is not an option for the new Taliban government. Pakistan’s policy has been flawed. Pakistan does not know how to handle the Taliban. Pakistan has failed in convincing the Taliban to control these TTP elements, as well as Pakistan could not enforce or convince its own people to understand or accept the fact that the TTP are terrorists, and they are not those struggling for a Sharia-based government in Pakistan. They are denying the constitution of Pakistan, creating a fuss amongst the masses, and are involved in bombings and terror activities, including the killings of government officers. Despite negotiations, Afghans have not responded positively to the request of Pakistani officials regarding TTP. Pakistan is still dealing with economic and political crises, and in such times, targeting TTP’s hideouts in Afghanistan is a bold move. However, where a strong statement has been made through this attack, it also holds consequences for PAK-Afghan relations, which are not ideal in the border areas. The subsequent response is still awaited; up until now, Pakistan has not formally claimed responsibility for the attack, but it is very obvious. The Afghan minister has given a strong statement regarding retaliation, and it will be interesting to see how Pakistan deals with this situation as they cannot afford an external conflict amid internal turmoils at the moment.