Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have once again escalated. The Pakistani army carried out an airstrike on the Afghan capital, Kabul, Amaj News reported. According to sources, at least four rockets were launched at several targets in the Taimani district of the capital using military aircraft.
This attack is regarded as one of the most dangerous incidents between the two countries in recent years. Reuters, citing a Taliban representative, reported that at least 12 civilians were killed and more than 100 people were injured during clashes along the border.
The Taliban movement stated that Pakistan started the attack, while Afghan forces “killed numerous Pakistani soldiers” in response and seized their posts. The Pakistani government, in turn, blamed the Taliban for the incident and reported that four civilians were wounded on its territory.
The latest phase of tension between the two neighboring countries began a few weeks earlier. On October 9, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan movement, affiliated with the Taliban, attacked a military convoy in the Kurram border district. On October 10, Pakistan launched a rocket strike on a vehicle belonging to one of the group’s leaders in Kabul, and a day later, the Taliban carried out a retaliatory attack on Pakistani border posts.
Analysts believe that this new escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan could further complicate the security situation in the region. Armed clashes in the border areas pose a serious threat not only to the two countries but also to the overall stability of Central and South Asia.
Thus, the strike on Kabul marked the beginning of a new crisis in relations between the two states — it remains unclear in which direction the situation will develop.
Read “Zamin” on Telegram!