BY PC Bureau
Amid escalating tensions, the Taliban government has deployed heavy weaponry along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in response to recent airstrikes by Pakistan’s military. According to the Kabul Frontline, anti-aircraft and other heavy weapons are being stationed near border areas following a stern warning issued by Afghanistan’s Defense Minister, Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid. Mujahid declared that Pakistan’s airstrikes will not go unanswered and vowed a strong retaliation.
Experts suggest that the Afghan Taliban is prepared for a forceful response, viewing it as a potential deterrent to future attacks. This escalation follows Pakistan’s strikes near South Waziristan, targeting alleged Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in the Bermal district of Afghanistan’s Paktika province. Pakistan claims the strikes were part of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, aimed at neutralizing TTP militants accused of cross-border terror activities.
Pakistan now faces challenges from two factions: the TTP, which operates from the border regions, and the Taliban-led Afghan government, whose rhetoric has grown increasingly defiant.
#Taliban say they can capture Pakistan in 24 hours.
Taliban say #Pakistan should read #Afghanistan's history.
Taliban add that they have defeated America, Russia and England pic.twitter.com/ygr84no4MO— Afghan Taliban News (@AfghanTN) December 25, 2024
An article in The Kabul Times, viewed as a pro-Taliban publication, warned of consequences for Pakistan’s actions, asserting Afghanistan’s sovereign right to defend its territory. It condemned the airstrikes as a violation of international norms, claiming the attacks resulted in civilian casualties, including children. The Ministry of National Defense released a statement labeling the strikes as inhumane and a direct provocation, emphasizing Afghanistan’s readiness to defend its sovereignty.
The Taliban has consistently denied Pakistan’s allegations that Afghan soil is being used by TTP militants to launch attacks. In previous statements, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reiterated that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) would not allow any group to use Afghanistan for hostile actions against other nations. He also called for resolving disputes through diplomatic channels, emphasizing Afghanistan’s commitment to peaceful relations with its neighbors.
Video from Paktika, Afghanistan, shows the devastation caused by Pakistani fighter jets bombing refugee settlements. Several Pakistani refugees from Waziristan, including women & children, were killed. The footage includes images of the children killed.https://t.co/0ziTFF4Avh
— Pakistan Walli (@pakistanwalli) December 25, 2024
The Kabul Times article echoed this sentiment but underscored the Afghan people’s historical resilience in defending their land. It called the strikes an act of aggression against Afghan sovereignty, urging Pakistan to address concerns through dialogue rather than military action. With tensions running high, both sides remain locked in a volatile standoff that risks further destabilizing the region.
