Afghan Taliban hit 'several points' in Pakistan in retaliation for ...
The Taliban-led Afghanis launched assaults on numerous Pakistani military posts, killing between 58, according to the Taliban, and 23, according the Pakistanis, and injuring hundreds of others. So far, the conflict has not led to full-out declarations of war, though skirmishes have continued so far.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said the people of Pakistan were “indebted to the ultimate sacrifice of these heroes who laid down their lives while defending the territorial integrity of Pakistan against the cowardly and treacherous aggression of the Taliban regime and Indian sponsored terrorist proxies operating from inside Afghan soil.”
Once Allies, Pakistan And Afghan Taliban Lurch Toward Full-Blown Conflict
from www.rferl.org
A full-blown conflict between Afghanistan’s Taliban and neighboring Pakistan seemed unthinkable when the hard-line Islamist group, a longtime ally of Islamabad, seized power in 2021 as international troops withdrew and the government they supported collapsed.
But fears have heightened of an all-out war after the deadliest-ever clashes involving Taliban fighters and Pakistani troops over the weekend.
“This confrontation is hugely significant and could have long-term consequences for the countries,” said Sami Yousafzai, an Afghan political commentator.
Fierce fighting erupted between Taliban fighters and Pakistani security forces on October 11-12, leaving dozens dead and key border crossings closed.
The border clashes occurred just days after Pakistan carried out unprecedented drone strikes in the center of Kabul as well as air strikes in the country’s east.
