Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people, including women and children, prompting Taliban condemnation and vows of retaliation. The strikes, aimed at alleged Taliban hideouts, come amidst heightened tensions regarding TTP militants and the plight of Waziristani refugees, reflecting the deteriorating diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
On December 24, Pakistani airstrikes targeted the Barmal district in Paktika province, Afghanistan, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 15 individuals, including women and children. Reports indicate that seven villages were affected, with significant destruction observed, particularly in the areas of Murg Bazaar and Laman, where an entire family of five perished. Local accounts attribute these attacks to Pakistani jets, intensifying the already strained relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In response to the airstrikes, the Taliban’s Ministry of Defence has condemned the actions and vowed retaliation. They asserted their sovereignty and right to defend their territory, expressing that the casualties included a number of Waziristani refugees. Taliban spokesperson Enayatullah Khwarazmi stated that the victims were primarily “civilian people, mostly Waziristani refugees,” further emphasizing the civilian toll of the strikes.
Despite Pakistani officials denying involvement, reports from security sources suggest that the airstrikes were aimed at Taliban hideouts along the border. This incident emerges amidst escalating tensions related to the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants allegedly taking refuge in Afghanistan. Pakistan criticizes the Afghan Taliban for allegedly sheltering TTP fighters, a claim that the Afghan side sharply disputes.
The Waziristani refugees killed in the airstrikes are civilians who had previously been displaced due to military actions in Pakistan’s tribal regions. While Islamabad alleges that numerous TTP leaders are being protected by the Taliban in Afghanistan, Afghan officials have refuted these claims, insisting on the necessity to avoid civilian casualties. These airstrikes occur shortly after the visit of Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, to Kabul for discussions on trade, raising concerns regarding the already deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The backdrop of this incident lies in the longstanding tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly concerning cross-border militancy. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an insurgent group, has been a source of conflict, with Pakistan alleging that the Afghan Taliban provides them refuge. The situation is compounded by the plight of Waziristani refugees, who have fled violence in Pakistan’s tribal areas and now find themselves caught in this wider conflict. Recent diplomatic efforts, including trade discussions, have failed to address these core security concerns, leading to heightened military responses.
In summary, the recent airstrikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s Paktika province resulted in significant civilian casualties, provoking a strong condemnation from the Taliban and promises of retaliation. This incident underscores the complexities of regional security dynamics and the impact of military actions on innocent populations, particularly the Waziristani refugees. The diplomatic tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to escalate, complicating prospects for peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
