Pakistan’s military carried out air raids late Tuesday night targeting hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, according to security sources. The strikes, conducted in the Barmal district near Pakistan’s South Waziristan region, are part of ongoing efforts to curb cross-border attacks allegedly orchestrated by the TTP.
Though no official statement has been issued by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, security officials confirmed the airstrikes to Al Jazeera. The raids mark the second operation this year against TTP hideouts in Afghanistan.
Taliban Government Responds
Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government condemned the attacks, alleging that civilians were among the casualties. According to a statement from Enayatullah Khowarazami, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry, at least 46 individuals, including women and children, were killed in the air raids.
“The Pakistani side should understand that such arbitrary measures are not a solution to any problem,” Khowarazami wrote on X, formerly Twitter. He warned of retaliation, emphasizing that “the Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered and considers the defense of its territory an inalienable right.”
Diplomatic Strain
The strikes occurred mere hours after Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, met with Afghan interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and promoting regional peace.
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“Met Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi today. Held wide-ranging discussions. Agreed to work together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote peace and progress in the region,” Sadiq posted on X.
However, analysts believe these airstrikes could exacerbate already deteriorating relations between the two neighbors.
Rising Threat of Cross-Border Violence
Pakistan has consistently accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring TTP militants who allegedly conduct cross-border attacks targeting Pakistani forces. Last week, the TTP claimed responsibility for the killing of at least 16 Pakistani soldiers in South Waziristan, one of the deadliest incidents in recent months.
During a United Nations Security Council briefing, Pakistan’s representative, Usman Iqbal Jadoon, stated that thousands of TTP fighters have sought refuge in Afghanistan, posing a “direct and daily threat” to Pakistan’s security.
Escalating Violence and Military Campaigns
According to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, the first 10 months of 2024 have seen more than 1,500 violent incidents, resulting in at least 924 deaths, including 570 law enforcement personnel. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reports over 856 attacks this year, a significant increase from 2023’s total of 645 incidents.
The air raids are believed to be part of Pakistan’s Azm-e-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability) campaign, launched in June to counter rising violence. Analysts suggest the latest strikes were a direct response to the recent killings of Pakistani soldiers.
Strategic Implications
Security analysts argue that Pakistan’s cross-border strikes should be part of a comprehensive policy rather than reactive measures. Ihsanullah Tipu, co-founder of The Khorasan Diary, highlighted Pakistan’s inconsistent approach to Afghanistan, describing it as “personality-driven rather than strategy-driven.”
Meanwhile, Amir Rana, director of the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), emphasized that Pakistan’s long-standing engagement with Afghanistan has failed to foster constructive diplomacy.
Rana also noted that cross-border strikes are becoming a global norm and are unlikely to draw significant international criticism. However, the potential for retaliation by the TTP raises concerns about escalating violence.
Tuesday’s strikes could significantly hinder efforts to improve Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, with diplomatic dialogue now at a critical juncture. “With Sadiq’s reappointment as special envoy, there were hopes for détente between the two countries. However, these strikes may significantly hinder any progress before it formally begins,” Tipu remarked.
As tensions rise, both nations face mounting pressure to find a sustainable resolution to the cross-border threat, ensuring stability for the region’s future.
