Pakistan-Afghanistan Clash: Continuous attacks by Taliban create outcry in Pakistan, claims of death of more than 40 soldiers

Kabul: The border dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan has now turned into an open war. In recent days, both sides have stepped up attacks on each other, including cross-border firing, mortar attacks and air strikes. The Afghan Taliban has claimed that they attacked several military posts located in Bajaur, Khyber and other districts of Pakistan, killing dozens of Pakistani soldiers and capturing some posts. However, Pakistan rejected these claims and in retaliation carried out air strikes on major cities of Afghanistan like Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, which has been named ‘Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’.

Terming it an “open war”, Pakistan’s Defense Minister said that the Afghan Taliban’s policy of harboring militant groups like TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and carrying out attacks in Pakistan will no longer be tolerated. Pakistani officials say their attacks killed hundreds of Taliban fighters, while the Afghan side blames civilian deaths.

There were reports of intense firing and mortar attacks in Bajaur district, where the Afghan Taliban targeted Pakistani border posts. Pakistan described the attacks as “unprovoked” and responded immediately. The Afghan Defense Ministry claimed that Pakistani troops suffered heavy losses in their attacks, but these figures could not be confirmed by independent sources. Both sides are releasing different death tolls, with Afghanistan claiming the deaths of 40-55 Pakistani soldiers, while Pakistan says hundreds of Taliban fighters have been killed.

Apart from this, the Afghan Taliban has also claimed drone strikes which targeted Pakistan’s Nowshera, Abbottabad and other military bases. Pakistan has claimed to have shot down these drones and said that there was no major damage. Some reports described explosions and flames around Islamabad, but Pakistani officials described it as a limited and unsuccessful effort.

Concern over regional stability has grown, and countries such as Saudi Arabia have intervened. Afghan Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaki spoke over phone with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in which both stressed on reducing tensions, increasing dialogue and adopting diplomatic routes. The Afghan side described itself as defensive and said that they are not aggressive against anyone, but are ensuring their security.

The Taliban have named their operations “Raid al-Zulm” (retaliation against oppression), while Pakistan is calling it a necessary step against terrorism. Tension between the two countries on the Durand Line has been going on for a long time, but recent incidents have taken it to the most serious level. The international community, including the United Nations, has appealed to both sides to exercise restraint and resolve the dispute through dialogue.

This conflict could pose a major threat to the security of South Asia, as both are nuclear power-rich regions. At present, firing and counter-attacks are continuing on the border, and the situation is being monitored.