The airstrikes carried out by Pakistani fighter jets on Tuesday night in Barmal district of Paktika province have provoked a strong response from the Taliban. The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense has called the attack a “blatant violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity” and warned that such actions “will not go unanswered.”
Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. envoy to Afghanistan, suggested on his X account that the Taliban are likely to retaliate against these strikes. He urged both nations to seek a mutual agreement to prevent their territories from being used to threaten each other’s security.
The airstrikes, which Pakistani sources claim targeted sanctuaries of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), occurred during a visit by Pakistan’s special envoy, Mohammad Sadiq, to Kabul for talks with Taliban officials. However, this military action appears to have significantly diminished hopes for a political resolution.
The Taliban have previously responded to Pakistan’s military actions with cross-border rocket attacks. If the group chooses a similar course of action, it could escalate tensions and potentially lead to a broader conflict between the two sides.
Experts warn that continued hostilities not only jeopardize regional peace but also risk damaging economic and security ties between Kabul and Islamabad. The situation underscores the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further deterioration in relations.
