War broke out between Pak-Afghan, Defense Minister announced; Understand from FAQ what has happened till now?

Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict: The ongoing tension on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan has now taken the form of a serious military confrontation. After the recent air strikes and ground action, relations between the two countries have reached a very delicate point. The situation has become more explosive after the bombing by Islamabad in Kabul and Kandahar.

The situation worsened when Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a strong statement on social media platform

Question: How did the tension deepen?

Answer: At least three loud explosions were heard in the Afghan capital Kabul. However, the exact locations of the attacks and possible casualties could not be immediately confirmed. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid alleged that Pakistan had also carried out airstrikes in the southern city of Kandahar and the south-eastern province of Paktia. The Taliban administration says that this action has been taken in a series of cross-border attacks in recent days, which has further deepened the tension.

2. Question: What is Afghanistan’s claim?

Answer: A few hours before this, the Afghan Defense Ministry claimed that its army retaliated late night across the border in Pakistan. This action is said to have been taken in retaliation for Pakistani air strikes on Afghan border areas last Sunday. Afghans say that they have captured more than a dozen Pakistani military posts. However, it has also been confirmed that eight of its soldiers were killed in this conflict.

3. Question: Did the common people suffer any loss?

Answer: The situation in the border area remains very tense. Several civilians were injured when a mortar fell on a camp of people returning from Pakistan near Torkham border post. The information chief of Nangarhar province said that seven refugees were injured in the attack, including one woman who is in critical condition. The humanitarian crisis in the Nangarhar region is already deepening and the latest violence has further complicated the situation. The border has remained closed most of the time due to the ongoing clashes since October, although special permission is being given to citizens returning to Afghanistan.

4. What did Pakistan say?

Answer: According to news agency Associated Press, Pakistan’s army targeted Afghan military bases in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. Reports claimed that two brigade bases were destroyed, although no official figures were shared on possible casualties. The Pakistan government has described the recent air strikes as a targeted operation against terrorists. Islamabad says the attack by the Afghan army was unprovoked and has rejected claims of capturing border posts.

5. Is the ceasefire broken?

Answer: The claims of killing of dozens of soldiers from both the countries have made the situation more serious. The ceasefire brokered by Qatar is now on the verge of breaking. If tension continues to increase like this, more devastation will be seen in the coming days.