“HEAVY PRICE”
Security issues are at the heart of the tensions, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harbouring militant groups led by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – the Pakistani Taliban – on its soil, a claim Kabul denies.
The cross-border violence had escalated dramatically since Saturday, days after explosions rocked the Afghan capital Kabul, just as the Taliban’s foreign minister began an unprecedented visit to India, Pakistan’s longtime rival.
The Taliban then launched an offensive along parts of its southern border with Pakistan, prompting Islamabad to vow a strong response of its own.
When the truce began at 1pm GMT (9pm, Singapore time) on Wednesday, Islamabad said that it was to last 48 hours, but Kabul said the ceasefire would remain in effect until Pakistan violated it.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif accused Kabul of acting as “a proxy of India” and “plotting” against Pakistan.
“From now on, demarches will no longer be framed as appeals for peace, and delegations will not be sent to Kabul,” Asif wrote in a post on X.
“Wherever the source of terrorism is, it will have to pay a heavy price.”
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah said its forces had been ordered not to attack unless Pakistani forces fired first.
“If they do, then you have every right to defend your country,” he said in an interview with the Afghan television channel Ariana, relaying the message sent to the troops.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/pakistan-afghanistan-talks-qatar-ceasefire-violations-strikes-5410721
