Intense gunfire is reported in several areas along the countries’ long border. At the major border crossing at Torkham, gunfire and artillery can be heard, according to AFP correspondents, who report that more Afghan soldiers are moving to the crossing.
“Our patience has run out. Now it is an open war between us and you,” wrote Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on social media.
Pakistan’s government refers to a long period of attacks and provocations by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, even after the countries entered a fragile ceasefire in October last year following a period of skirmishes.
“An Indian colony”
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced on Thursday that “large-scale offensive operations” had been launched against Pakistani military targets after new firefights broke out in border areas. After Pakistan’s airstrikes, he said new counterattacks are taking place.
Both sides have claimed that dozens of opposing soldiers have been killed in the fighting.
Pakistan accuses the Taliban regime of supporting and harboring Pakistani resistance groups – primarily the Pakistani Taliban militia Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), which has carried out a long series of violent acts there.
Nuclear-armed Pakistan also accuses arch-enemy India of supporting armed resistance groups, both the Taliban and Baloch separatists. Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, the country has become an “Indian colony” that spreads terrorism, according to the latest Pakistani accusations.
Affects returnees
At the Torkham border crossing, a large camp has been set up for the many Afghans who have recently returned from their time as refugees in Pakistan. The fighting has spilled over onto them.
“A blast hit nearby. I saw blood; it injured two or three children and two or three women,” says 65-year-old Gander Khan, who lives in the camp.
Millions of Afghans have fled to neighboring countries during long wars and conflicts that have raged in their homeland. In 2023, Pakistan, like Iran, began pressuring large numbers of Afghans to return.
The autumn ceasefire was brokered by Turkey and Qatar. Iran is now offering to mediate.
