Title: Taliban Accuses Pakistan of Violating Sovereignty Amid Rising Tensions
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has made serious allegations against Pakistan, claiming that it has violated Kabul’s "sovereign territory." This accusation comes in the wake of two significant explosions heard in the city late Thursday, which the Taliban described as an "unprecedented, violent, and provocative act."
According to the Taliban’s Defense Ministry, Pakistan also targeted a civilian market in the southeastern province of Patika, leading to the destruction of several shops, as reported by local residents to BBC’s Afghan service. However, Pakistan has yet to confirm or deny these attacks.
During a press conference in Peshawar on Friday, a senior Pakistani general stated that Afghanistan was being used as a "base of operations for terrorism against Pakistan." General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry emphasized that measures would be taken to protect Pakistani citizens and their property.
Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of allowing the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan soil, a claim consistently denied by the Taliban government. Following the explosions in Kabul, there were rumors suggesting that the blasts might have targeted TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud. In response, the TTP released an unverified voice note from Mehsud asserting that he was still alive.
The exact circumstances surrounding the blasts remain unclear. BBC Afghan’s correspondent reported no visible signs of an explosion in the suspected area on Friday, but noted a heavy Taliban presence and numerous mobile checkpoints.
In a statement, the Taliban’s Defense Ministry warned that any escalation in the situation would hold the Pakistani army accountable for the consequences. In contrast, the Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, who is currently in New Delhi, expressed a desire to maintain amicable relations with Pakistan. He urged, "Pakistan should not repeat this mistake. Our issues can be resolved through negotiation, not war."
As tensions escalate between the two nations, the international community watches closely for any developments that could impact regional stability.
