Cross-Border Terrorism Comes Full Circle
Pakistan, long accused of sponsoring cross-border terrorism, now finds itself grappling with its own terror-related challenges. This ironic turn of events was underscored by recent airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan that killed around 50 people, including women and children. These strikes came just days after Pakistani security forces eliminated 11 suspected terrorists in the volatile Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated sharply, driven by the rise in operations by the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against Pakistani military and police forces. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban of providing safe havens to TTP militants. However, the Afghan government remains in denial, exacerbating tensions between the two neighbors.
Diplomatic Duplicity and Regional Risks
The airstrikes highlight Pakistan’s duplicity. They occurred mere hours after Islamabad’s special representative for Afghanistan visited Kabul to discuss improving bilateral ties. This contradictory approach suggests Pakistan is only paying lip service to diplomacy while resorting to aggressive military actions. Such tactics could have dangerous consequences for the region, especially with the Afghan government warning that it will not leave this "cowardly act unanswered."
Domestic Politics and Strategic Motivations
The Shehbaz Sharif-led government appears unwilling to show weakness, particularly amid ongoing talks with jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The recent crackdown on PTI supporters has further alienated the public from the ruling coalition. The airstrikes, reminiscent of India’s Balakot operation, may be a calculated move by Pakistan’s establishment to rebuild its tarnished image.
Adding to the tension is Pakistan’s discontent over the growing rapport between the Taliban and India. This development has irked Islamabad, which sees it as a strategic loss in its backyard. However, Pakistan’s actions may provoke a fierce retaliation not only from the Afghan Taliban but also from the TTP, further destabilizing the region.
Implications for India
For India, a long-standing victim of terrorism, these developments demand close monitoring. Pakistan’s internal strife and its increasingly strained relations with Afghanistan could have spillover effects, impacting regional security dynamics. Vigilance and preparedness remain crucial as the situation evolves.
Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan are a stark reminder of the perils of its double-edged policies. As it faces backlash from both domestic and external fronts, Islamabad must tread carefully to avoid plunging the region into further chaos
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