Pakistan–Taliban Standoff Intensifies With Cross-Border Strikes and Retaliatory Attacks
Islamabad casts its latest operations as self‑defense to curb TTP attacks launched from Afghan territory.
Overview
- Pakistan conducted Feb. 22 airstrikes on targets in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, described in coverage as hitting Taliban facilities and elements of IS‑K.
- Taliban fighters attacked Pakistani border outposts on Feb. 26 after two suicide bombings in Khyber district on Feb. 16 and 21 killed Pakistani personnel.
- Pakistan says it seeks verifiable guarantees that Afghan soil will not host cross‑border militancy and signals openness to outside mediation proposals.
- Engagement between Kabul and New Delhi has expanded, and Pakistani commentary reports Israeli economic overtures to the Taliban, intensifying Islamabad’s strategic concerns.
- Islamabad alleges RAW support for anti‑Pakistan groups operating from Afghanistan and faces added strain from refugee flows and Gulf tensions following US–Israel–Iran strikes.