ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Signals Continuation of Strikes in Afghanistan amid Diplomatic Outreach by Taliban
Diplomatic channels between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have been activated, with the Taliban administration reaching out to Islamabad at the diplomatic level in an apparent bid to de-escalate rising tensions.
According to diplomatic sources, the Afghan Taliban requested Pakistan to reduce hostilities.
However, Pakistan has conveyed that it is not in a position to consider the request at this time.
Sources further indicated that Pakistan has signaled its intent to continue military operations against militant hideouts and safe havens inside Afghanistan.
This stance comes in the wake of recent cross-border airstrikes targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps and affiliates, which Pakistan blames for a surge in terrorist attacks on its soil.
Pakistan has reiterated its firm position that the Pakistan-Afghanistan border will remain fully closed, and bilateral trade will stay suspended until verifiable and concrete actions are taken by the Afghan side.
Islamabad has repeatedly demanded that the Taliban-led government prevent Afghan territory from being used against Pakistan and ensure effective, evidence-based measures against terrorist elements operating from there.
The development follows a series of escalating incidents, including Pakistani airstrikes over the weekend that reportedly targeted seven militant camps in border regions such as Nangarhar and Paktika provinces.
Pakistan claims the operations were intelligence-based and selective, resulting in significant militant casualties. Afghan officials have condemned the strikes as violations of sovereignty, reporting civilian casualties including women and children, and vowing a response at an appropriate time.
Tensions between the two neighbors have persisted due to cross-border militancy, repeated border closures disrupting trade, and mutual accusations over sanctuary for groups like the TTP.
No immediate breakthrough in talks has been reported, and security analysts warn that without meaningful cooperation from Kabul on militant safe havens, further military actions from Pakistan remain likely.
