Taliban minister warns Pakistan, says border chaos costly
Tensions are escalating along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, as recent deadly clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces intensify hostilities.
In a sharp escalation of the ongoing diplomatic standoff between Kabul and Islamabad, Afghanistan’s Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani launched a fierce attack on Pakistan on Thursday, accusing it of spreading its internal strife across the Durand Line. His fiery remarks, delivered at the closing ceremony of a Firefighting Directorate training seminar in Kabul, underscored the growing tension and mistrust between the two uneasy neighbours.
The statement comes amid intensifying clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where in recent weeks, fierce skirmishes between Taliban fighters and Pakistani troops have left several dead on both sides. Each government has accused the other of violating border agreements and initiating unprovoked attacks.
Efforts to calm the situation have repeatedly failed. A recent round of peace talks held in Istanbul, mediated by Turkish officials, reportedly collapsed earlier this week after disagreements over cross-border militancy and U.S. drone operations in Afghan territory. The breakdown of talks has only deepened the diplomatic rift and stoked fears of a broader confrontation.
Haqqani, one of the most influential figures in the Taliban government and the head of the Haqqani Network, sought to present Afghanistan as a nation ready to defend its sovereignty despite limited military resources. “We may not have long-range missiles or advanced weapons, but our resolve is unbreakable,” he asserted. “If our patience is tested again, our response will be crushing.”
He also took a subtle dig at Pakistan’s internal political and security challenges, suggesting that Islamabad should focus on resolving its domestic crises instead of exporting them abroad. “We have repeatedly told the Pakistani side to handle their problems internally,” he said. “Every nation must look after its own interests—Afghanistan will always protect its own.”
Haqqani’s fiery rhetoric reflects the growing strain in Afghan-Pakistani relations, as both sides struggle to manage the volatile border region that continues to threaten regional stability.