Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan has surged dramatically following multiple explosions in Kabul on Thursday as India works to exploit the rift between the two Muslim majority countries.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) confirmed the attacks, accusing Pakistan of violating its airspace and bombing a market in eastern Paktika province.
Speculation is circulating suggesting the explosions were caused by Pakistan targeting the leader of armed insurgent group responsible for deadly attacks inside Pakistan.
“This action is an unprecedented, violent, and reprehensible act in the history of Afghanistan and Pakistan,” said the Defence Ministry in a statement posted on X.
“We condemn this violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty in the strongest terms and consider the defence of our country’s sovereignty our legitimate right. Following such actions, no matter how critical the situation becomes, the consequences will be borne by the Pakistani army,” it warned.
Residents said they also heard gunfire after the explosion.
On Thursday, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed that the IEA had asked for money from Islamabad to relocate Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters held up inside the Emirate away from its border.
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Speaking at the National Assembly, Asif accused the IEA of supporting TTP militants while they conduct attacks on Pakistan, providing safe havens inside their country.
“I went to Kabul along with DG ISI, and I told them to stop sponsoring and supporting TTP terrorists, remove them from your territory, and dismantle their sanctuaries,” according to the minister.
“They (IEA officials) asked us to give them 10 billion rupees (around $35 million), and we will relocate them. We asked for a guarantee—what guarantee is there that after receiving the money, they would not return? They refused to give any guarantee,” he claimed.
Asif alleged that Islamabad had not accepted the demand. The IEA has yet to comment on the allegations but has previously been known to deny Islamabad claims of supporting the TTP group.
Who are the TTP?
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is an insurgent group based in Pakistan. The TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, is distinct from the Afghan Taliban.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan was formed in December 2007 as a result of several Pakistani Taliban factions coming together to create a unified organisation. The group’s main objective is to establish its own version of Shari’ah law in Pakistan and to challenge the Pakistani government’s authority.
They have been responsible for numerous attacks on military and civilian targets within Pakistan, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries.
Since 2007, Islamabad and the TTP have held several rounds of dialogue that yielded no results, with both sides blaming each other for the stalemate.
Successive Pakistani military operations since 2014 pushed the TTP toward Afghanistan, bringing about a significant decline in bombings and suicide attacks in the country until 2021.
While the IEA denies providing refuge to armed groups or allowing their territory to be used for cross-border attacks, Pakistan asserts that the TTP conducts its operations from Afghan sanctuaries.
If reports are confirmed that the TTP’s leader Noor Wali Mehsud, was inside a vehicle reportedly eliminated in Afghan capital Kabul, then the IEA credibility on the subject will take a major blow.
The TTP is considered a terrorist organisation in Pakistan and also the UK as well.
On Friday, at least 30 militants were killed during security operations in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said.
The military conducted a series of retribution operations in the Jamal Maya area of Orakzai District, killing 30 militants, who were involved in the recent attack on security forces, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a media wing of the Pakistan army, in a statement.
The latest operation was conducted after at least 11 Pakistani security personnel, including two officers, were killed during a clash with militants in the Orakzai District on Tuesday.
Afghanistan turns towards India
As tensions rise between the two Muslim-majority neighbours, India on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence as top diplomats from both nations met in New Delhi.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made the remarks while hosting Interim Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi for talks during the latter’s week-long visit to India.
“India is fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan. Closer cooperation between us contributes to your national development, as well as regional stability and resilience,” Jaishankar said.
He also announced “the upgrading of India’s technical mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India,” signalling that New Delhi may soon appoint a full-time ambassador to the Afghan capital.
India has come under fire amid Islamophobic oppression of its native Muslim population, the takeover of Muslim-majority Jammu & Kashmir, as well as, attacks on Pakistan, however, the IEA appears keen to build positive relations with the Hindutva administered regime in order to undermine and frustrate Pakistan.
Historically, India and Pakistan have been vying to dominate Afghanistan’s political landscape at the expense of the other backing rival groups. Now, following the establishment of the IEA, Kabul is trying to establish legitimacy, rebuild the battered nation and oust foreign interference, replacing it with working relationships.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday argued that Kabul should be involved in the region’s political issues, as he addressed participants of the Moscow Format meeting which saw senior IEA and regional representatives present.
“We proceed from the premise that ensuring the security and well-being of our region presupposes Kabul’s involvement in political processes, in the activities of multilateral associations, and in the implementation of joint economic projects,” Lavrov said in opening remarks at the seventh meeting of consultations on Afghanistan in the Moscow format.
