The fragile peace in South Asia is under immense strain following Pakistan’s recent airstrikes near Kabul. The operation, reportedly orchestrated by Army Chief General Asim Munir, aimed to neutralize TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud, blamed for a deadly assault on Pakistani soldiers in Orakzai. However, the narrative quickly unraveled when the TTP released an audio recording presented as Mehsud’s voice, denying his death and claiming he was still active. This has placed Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategy under intense scrutiny, with many deeming the Kabul strike a significant misstep.
The Taliban administration in Kabul has strongly denounced the Pakistani airstrikes, terming them a breach of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity. A spokesperson warned that Pakistan would face repercussions for any civilian harm resulting from the “unprovoked” attack. This volatile development occurs concurrently with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India, where he met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. India, reaffirming its focus on Afghan sovereignty and security, also revealed plans to restore full diplomatic operations at its Kabul embassy.
Adding to the instability, Pakistan’s internal security is challenged by widespread protests. The government has implemented internet shutdowns in the capital, Islamabad, and the adjacent city of Rawalpindi. These actions are in response to demonstrations by the extremist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party, whose supporters attempted to approach the US Embassy in solidarity with Gaza, resulting in clashes with law enforcement.