On December 24, 2024, Pakistan targeted suspected Pakistani Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan with airstrikes that dismantled a training facility. Afghanistan condemned the attacks, claiming civilian fatalities, while Pakistan indicated readiness to combat the TTP, which has increased violence against Pakistani security forces since ending a cease-fire in late 2022.

On December 24, 2024, Pakistan executed airstrikes targeting suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban located in Afghanistan. This operation reportedly dismantled a training facility and resulted in the death of some insurgents, as confirmed by four anonymous security officials. Although the precise nature of the strikes remains unclear, it was noted that they occurred in the mountainous Paktika province, which borders Pakistan.

The Afghan Defense Ministry condemned these actions, asserting that they constituted a breach of international principles and resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. Local testimonies indicated that at least eight individuals lost their lives, with the potential for the death toll to rise. The Afghan Defense Ministry further released a statement on social media asserting that such unilateral military actions are not a viable solution and declared the intent to respond to what they termed a cowardly act.

Interestingly, the airstrikes were executed shortly after Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, visited Kabul to discuss enhancing bilateral trade and fortifying relations between the two nations. Reports stated that Mr. Sadiq also extended his condolences regarding the recent death of Khalil Haqqani, Afghanistan’s former minister for refugees, who was killed in a suicide bomb attack.

Experts suggest that the airstrikes signify a decisive message from Pakistan to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), indicating its readiness to address threats posed by this group, which has frequently utilized Afghan territory to orchestrate attacks within Pakistan. Following the Taliban’s rise to power in Afghanistan, the TTP has intensified its assaults on Pakistani forces, highlighting the regional tension surrounding these developments.

Islamabad has consistently maintained that the TTP operates from safe havens in Afghanistan, a claim that officials in Kabul vehemently refute. Security analyst Syed Muhammad Ali remarked on the precision of the airstrikes, emphasizing that the operation focused exclusively on terrorist infrastructure without civilian collateral damage.

In the wake of the Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan, the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has gained increased confidence, launching numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces. Following a failed cease-fire in November 2022, the TTP has targeted military and police personnel within Pakistan, which has heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over border security and counter-insurgency efforts. The recent airstrikes signal Pakistan’s intensified military response against TTP threats originating from Afghan soil amidst complex bilateral relations concerning shared security challenges and territorial integrity.

The airstrikes conducted by Pakistan on December 24, 2024, underline the heightened military engagement against the Pakistani Taliban, reflecting an aggressive stance in counter-terrorism efforts. The Afghan government’s condemnation of the strikes illustrates the ongoing tensions between the two nations regarding security operations and civilian safety. As Pakistan strengthens its actions against the TTP, the repercussions of such cross-border military efforts will likely sustain the cycle of conflict and complicate diplomatic relations further.

Original Source: www.thehindu.com

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