Taliban Rages Against Pakistan: Accusations Fly After Devastating Kabul Explosions Amid Critical Outreach to India
Islamabad, Pakistan – Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban have escalated following explosions in Kabul and Paktika on Thursday. The Taliban’s government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, initially confirmed the blasts but downplayed their impact, stating that investigations were underway and no injuries had been reported. However, the Afghan Ministry of Defence later accused Pakistan of being responsible for the incidents, although specific details were not provided.
The accusations come amid deteriorating relations between the two neighboring countries. Pakistan has long accused the Taliban of harboring armed groups, particularly the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad blames for a rise in violence against its security forces. The explosions coincided with the arrival of Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in India for a six-day visit, marking the Taliban’s first high-level engagement with its former adversary since taking power in August 2021.
Speculation on social media has suggested that the explosions may have targeted senior TTP leaders, including chief Noor Wali Mehsud, who Afghan officials later stated remains safe. At a press conference on Friday, Pakistani army spokesman Ahmad Sharif did not confirm or deny the military’s potential involvement. He stated, “Afghanistan is being used as a base of operations against Pakistan, and there is proof and evidence of that,” indicating that protective measures would be taken to safeguard Pakistani citizens.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not responded to inquiries regarding the explosions. Historically seen as an ally of the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan now faces challenges as the Taliban attempts to recalibrate its foreign policy, engaging with regional powers like India. Islamabad, for its part, accuses India of supporting anti-Pakistan armed groups, a charge New Delhi denies.
Following a particularly violent year in 2024, during which over 2,500 people were killed in Pakistan, both nations have sought to reset their relations. High-level meetings, often mediated by China, had led to improved diplomatic ties and a temporary reduction in violence. However, data from the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies indicates that violence has surged again in recent months, with TTP responsible for nearly 600 attacks against security forces within the past year alone.
September saw a significant uptick in violence, with multiple casualties reported across Pakistani military operations, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which shares a porous border with Afghanistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a stern warning to the Afghan interim government, urging them to choose cooperation over complicity with terrorism.
Despite years of negotiations, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif lamented that violence from Afghan soil has persisted, remarking on the “daily funerals of military personnel” in Pakistan. The deterioration of relations has also led to a mass expulsion campaign by Islamabad, forcing nearly a million Afghans-many of whom have resided in Pakistan for decades-to return home.
The heightened tensions have resulted in military clashes and airstrikes inside Afghan territory, complicating any potential cooperation against the TTP. Analysts caution that if Pakistan is found to be behind recent attacks, it could further inflame hostilities. Security analyst Tameem Bahiss noted that Pakistan’s actions might result in greater mistrust and hinder cooperative efforts against the TTP.
As both nations navigate this fragile geopolitical landscape, the ongoing violence and mutual accusations highlight the complexities of their relationship, with implications that could extend beyond their borders. With the TTP’s role in this conflict intensifying, the potential for further escalations remains a critical concern on both sides of the border.
Original Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/10/explosions-hit-kabul-as-taliban-make-diplomatic-push-to-india
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Publish Date: 2025-10-10 18:15:00
