Taliban Pakistan Clash: Taliban claims that 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the border clash. Will Pakistan respond? Tensions rise despite Qatar-Saudi mediation; Fears increased due to the presence of ISIS and retaliatory airstrikes.
Afghanistan Border Attack 58 Pakistani Soldiers Killed: Last week, tension increased again on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed that at least 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed and more than 30 injured in retaliatory attacks near the Durand Line in Baharampur district. The Taliban says the attack was carried out in response to Pakistani air strikes.
Pakistan accused of hiding ISIS – what is the real story?
Mujahid accused Pakistan of hiding ISIS terrorists on its soil. The Taliban warned that Afghanistan will defend its air and land borders and will not respond to any attack. He said that Pakistan should expel important members of ISIS from its country or hand them over to Taliban.
Have new terrorist centers emerged in Afghanistan?
According to the Taliban, they have cleared the insurgents from their territory but have set up new centers in Pakistan’s Pashtunkhawa province. Mujahid claims that recruits are trained through the airports of Karachi and Islamabad and attacks in Afghanistan were planned from here.
Effect of retaliatory attacks – losses of Taliban and Afghan forces
The Taliban said more than 20 of their members were killed or injured in the clashes. In addition, many weapons fell into the hands of the Taliban. The Taliban warned that anyone who crossed their border or violated the airspace would face a strong response.
Will the mediation of Qatar and Saudi be able to reduce tension?
Mujahid said the airstrikes were stopped at the request of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. However, the tension on the border is not showing any signs of decreasing. Three explosions also occurred in Afghanistan on Thursday – two in Kabul and one in south-eastern Paktika.
Pakistan’s response- Is the country’s security in danger?
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that his army gave a befitting reply to Afghanistan’s provocation and destroyed several posts. He made it clear that there will be no compromise in the matter of Pakistan’s defense and every provocation will be given a strong and effective response.
Is there a possibility of a major conflict on the border?
Afghan forces also targeted Pakistani positions in Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. All these areas are close to the border. Now the question arises whether this conflict can escalate towards a major regional conflict and how effective will international mediation be?