Pakistan on Friday declared “open war” on the Taliban government in Afghanistan, hours after it carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces in “retaliation” for a cross-border attack by Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government said it carried out attacks on Pakistani military positions along its border in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes last week. It is the latest escalation in violence between the neighboring countries and raises uncertainty about a Qatar-brokered ceasefire.
Tensions between the two neighbors have escalated for months, with deadly border clashes in October killing dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants. The violence followed explosions in Kabul that Afghan officials blamed on Pakistan. At the time, Islamabad was leading strikes deep inside Afghanistan to target militant hideouts.
Amid the escalating tension, the global media reported on the conflict as follows –
Private recognition
According to a New York Times (NYT) report titled ‘Pakistan Attacks Afghanistan in ‘Open War’ Against Taliban Government’, Afghan officials privately acknowledge the presence of the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan while facing pressure from China and Russia to control militant groups in the region.
“Afghan officials have privately acknowledged the presence of the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan. In addition to Pakistan, they have also faced pressure from China and Russia to rein in militant groups operating in the country,” the report said.
Who will win the race of military prowess?
A BBC report suggested that there is a significant gap in military strength between Pakistan, with its cutting-edge nuclear forces, and the Afghan Taliban, which is struggling with limited resources and various challenges.
“There is a significant difference in military capabilities between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan’s armed forces, which are armed with nuclear weapons, consistently rank among the world’s top 15 military forces. The Afghan Taliban, on the other hand, lacks the same military resources and faces its own challenges,” the report said.
A few “captured alive”
The Afghan Ministry of Defense has announced that 55 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in border clashes, with some bodies being flown to Afghanistan, a Guardian report said. Eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 wounded, while 19 Pakistani army posts and two bases were destroyed.
“The Afghan Ministry of Defense said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed in border clashes on Thursday, with some bodies being flown to Afghanistan, including several ‘captured alive’. It said eight Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded. The ministry announced the destruction of 19 Pakistani army posts and two bases,” the report said.
Meanwhile, the report also mentioned that Islamabad accused Afghanistan of not taking action against militant groups responsible for the attacks in Pakistan, which the Taliban government denied.
