Pakistan's airstrike on Kabul: Tensions escalate between neighbours

A targeted aerial strike has hit Kabul that killed the son of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud. The attack, which Mehsud claims was carried out with external technical support by Pakistan, has sparked widespread condemnation and raised concerns about the violation of Afghan sovereignty.

The incident occurred when powerful explosions and automatic gunfire shook Kabul, with witnesses reporting a fighter jet in the city's airspace. Although the strike hit the compound, Mehsud confirmed he was safe and in Pakistan. This has led many to speculate about the involvement of external forces, particularly given the timing of the incident. The strike comes just 48 hours after Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused Afghanistan of harbouring terrorists.

The attack has significantly escalated tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with sources close to the Taliban condemning the strike as a blatant disregard for Afghanistan's territorial integrity. The incident coincides with Afghan Interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's eight-day visit to India, where he is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. This diplomatic engagement adds complexity to the strained relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government.

The strike is expected to trigger a major internal crisis within the TTP's Shura, which is already divided between pro-Kabul and pro-Rawalpindi factions. Security analysts fear the resulting power vacuum and internal clashes could spill over into border regions like Kunar, Nangarhar, and Paktika, further intensifying tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The TTP has intensified cross-border violence, exploiting tribal and sectarian divisions in regions like Lower Kurram, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhaw's tribal districts. Pakistan has experienced over 1,500 violent incidents this year, resulting in nearly 1,000 deaths. The Afghan Interim Government's perceived harbouring of TTP militants has worsened the crisis, prompting Pakistan to launch military operations and diplomatic efforts to address the challenge.