Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated sharply on Wednesday after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif threatened to “obliterate” the ruling Taliban regime, following the breakdown of peace talks aimed at preventing further border violence.
The talks, held in Istanbul and mediated by Turkey and Qatar, concluded without agreement, according to Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who said the Afghan delegation “deviated from the core issue” and engaged in a “blame game.” Discussions were intended to reinforce an earlier October 19 ceasefire brokered in Doha, but both sides accused each other of derailing the process.
A senior Pakistani security source told Reuters that the Taliban refused to take action against the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), a militant group Islamabad claims operates freely inside Afghanistan and has carried out deadly attacks on its forces. Afghan representatives reportedly insisted they have no control over the TTP.
Fighting has intensified in recent weeks despite temporary truces. Earlier this month, Pakistani airstrikes targeted the TTP leadership in Kabul and other areas, prompting retaliatory attacks by the Taliban on Pakistani border posts. Weekend clashes left five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants dead, underlining the fragile state of peace along the volatile 2,600-km border.
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