Afghanistan bombing: What’s Pakistan’s strategy as India-Taliban ties grow? | Conflict News
Islamabad, Pakistan — In the wake of escalating violence, the Pakistani military conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan over the weekend, targeting areas believed to shelter militants. This action follows a series of attacks in Pakistan that raised concerns about security along the border.
On February 6, a suicide bomber attacked a Shia mosque during Friday prayers in Islamabad, claiming at least 36 lives and injuring 170 others. The incident marked a significant rise in violence, which continued with an assault in Bajaur, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in the deaths of 11 soldiers and a child. Authorities identified the assailant as an Afghan national.
In response to the Bajaur attack, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Afghan deputy head of mission in Islamabad on February 19. However, just two days later, another suicide bomber targeted a military convoy in Bannu, also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel.
The increased violence prompted Pakistan to launch airstrikes on February 18, with the military claiming the raids targeted camps of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Officials reported the deaths of at least 80 militants in the operation; however, Kabul denied these claims, stating the strikes resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, and called for a measured response.
Later that day, India condemned Pakistan’s military action, citing the resulting civilian casualties and reaffirming support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs characterized the airstrikes as an attempt by Pakistan to shift responsibility for its internal issues.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting responded, alleging conclusive evidence that recent attacks were orchestrated by Afghan-based militants. Islamabad insisted it had consistently urged Kabul to prevent such groups from operating across the border but had seen little progress.
The recent strikes have disrupted a fragile ceasefire that was established following talks mediated by Qatar and Turkiye last year. While Islamabad accused the Taliban of harboring TTP militants, the Taliban government denied such allegations.
Experts note the escalating violence and Pakistan’s military response confirm the breakdown of the ceasefire. Observers express concern that continued airstrikes may further entrench ties between the Taliban and TTP, complicating Pakistan’s security landscape.
As violence persists, public pressure in Pakistan is mounting for a strong military response, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness of the air operations. Simultaneously, the geopolitical dynamics involving India and Afghanistan continue to shift, adding to Pakistan’s challenges in navigating its security concerns both to the west and the east.
