Pakistans Strategy Amid Growing Ties Between India and Taliban

Pakistani Air Raids Break Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Violence

A series of air raids by Pakistani forces in Afghanistan occurred on Sunday, targeting what Islamabad described as “camps and hideouts” along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The strikes, which took place in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, were reportedly aimed at sanctuaries of the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and its affiliates.

According to Pakistani authorities, the air raids resulted in the deaths of at least 80 militants. However, Kabul has disputed these claims, stating that the strikes hit a religious school and residential homes, killing and wounding dozens, including women and children.

The air raids came after weeks of unrelenting violence in Pakistan, which had seen multiple attacks on security forces and civilians. On February 6, a suicide bomber detonated explosives during Friday prayers at a Shia mosque in Islamabad, killing at least 36 worshippers and wounding 170 others.

In recent days, Pakistani authorities have issued warnings that their patience was wearing thin, citing evidence of Afghan-based fighters launching attacks on Pakistan’s soil. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously summoned the Afghan deputy head of mission in Islamabad over concerns about armed groups using Afghan territory to launch attacks.

India has condemned the Pakistani military action, stating that it resulted in civilian casualties and calling for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement from New Delhi underscored growing tensions between Pakistan and India over their engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

The air raids have shattered a fragile ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey after talks in October and November. The discussions had failed to produce a formal peace agreement, and calm along the frontier remained tenuous.

Source: Al Jazeera