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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