Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban military entered its third day following cross-border assaults, which Pakistan described as a response to militant activity harbored by Kabul. The international community, including the UN, EU, Russia, and China, has expressed deep concern and urged both sides to de-escalate and engage in dialogue.
Key points
- Pakistan's strikes on February 27 targeted Taliban military installations in Kabul and Kandahar, described by Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif as "open war".
- Pakistan accuses the Taliban of harboring Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, a charge Kabul denies, claiming Pakistan is deflecting blame for its own security failures.
- Conflicting casualty reports include Pakistan claiming 12 soldiers and 274 Taliban killed, while the Taliban reported 13 fighters and 55 Pakistani soldiers dead.
- The US supports Pakistan’s right to defend itself against attacks by the Taliban, whom Washington designates as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group.
- Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif publicly accused Haqqani Network figures of betraying past Pakistani support.
Why it matters
The escalating conflict raises the risk of a protracted conflict along the 2,600km frontier, while UN humanitarian officials warn that continued fighting will increase the already high number of Afghans needing aid.
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