Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, was rocked by loud explosions on Friday morning. Local media reports indicate that these blasts were a result. Of alleged airstrikes carried out by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). Pakistani channels claimed that the attacks specifically targeted hideouts of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group involved in anti-Pakistan terrorist activities.
Timing Amidst Diplomatic Visit
The timing of these alleged airstrikes is particularly significant as it coincides with the ongoing visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to India, while muttaqi's visit is considered a crucial diplomatic initiative to establish dialogue between the new Taliban government in Afghanistan and India, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations. The airstrikes could potentially complicate these emerging diplomatic efforts.
Pakistan's Stern Warning
Earlier, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had issued a stern warning to Afghanistan's interim administration, while he stated that Pakistan would take "strong action" if Afghan soil was used for anti-Pakistan terrorist activities. These alleged airstrikes followed just days after his warning. Muhammad Sohail Shaheen, the Taliban's ambassador to Qatar, confirmed two explosions in Kabul but reported no casualties.
Claims and Counter-Claims on TTP Leader
Pakistani media initially claimed that TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud was killed in the attacks, while however, Afghan media reported an audio message from TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud, who asserted he was alive and accused Pakistan of spreading "false propaganda. " The Pakistani military has been consistently conducting operations against the TTP, with at least seven TTP terrorists reported killed on Thursday.
