Pakistan, Afghan Taliban trade accusations over cross-border strikes

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) — Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged sharp accusations on Tuesday after Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Pakistani forces had carried out overnight strikes in Khost, Kunar and Paktika provinces.

The allegations were dismissed hours later by Pakistan’s military spokesperson, who denied any cross-border action and said the army “has not attacked civilians inside Afghanistan,” according to state media reports.

The dispute marks the latest escalation in already strained bilateral ties, which have deteriorated over Pakistan’s repeated claims that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan continues to use Afghan territory to plan attacks.

Mujahid said the alleged strikes occurred overnight, though Islamabad has issued no official confirmation; the claims surfaced on the same day a suicide bombing at the Federal Constabulary headquarters in Islamabad killed three personnel and injured 12 others.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry rejected Kabul’s assertions, stating that “whenever Pakistan attacks someone, it announces it,” and emphasized that the military does not target civilians.

He added that Pakistan recognizes “no distinction between terrorists,” urging the Afghan Taliban to act “as a state, not as non-state actors,” and questioned how long Afghanistan’s transitional setup would continue.

The Taliban’s allegations come amid a breakdown in recent diplomatic efforts to stabilize relations. After border clashes in October, the two sides held multiple rounds of talks facilitated by Turkiye and Qatar.

Although mediators initially revived the discussions, Pakistan’s defense minister declared on November 7 that negotiations had entered an “indefinite phase” after both governments failed to narrow major differences on cross-border militancy.

Following the collapse of the talks, the Afghan Taliban suspended trade relations with Pakistan, while Islamabad had already closed major border crossings in response to earlier clashes.

Turkiye later announced plans to dispatch senior officials to Pakistan to help manage the crisis, but the visit has faced delays as diplomatic complexities persist. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has since linked the restoration of trade and regional energy projects to Kabul ceasing its alleged support for militant networks.