The conflict between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban has now taken the shape of an “open war,” and the change is due to the border offensive following the airstrikes by Pakistan.
The conflict between the two sides has resulted in significant casualties, with Pakistan claiming that over 450 Afghan soldiers have been killed, while the Afghan government asserts that 150 Pakistani soldiers have died; both sides are accusing each other of starting the conflict.
The Pakistani military has now extended its operations, saying that this is part of the plan to dismantle the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is claimed to be harbored by the Afghan government. The humanitarian cost is rising swiftly. At least 42 civilians have been killed and 20,000 families displaced, according to the UN, which says the conflict is worsening an already critical situation in the area. “It is never too late to talk,” the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement even as they vowed to “finish this menace” after peace talks in Turkey last November failed.
The fighting has now entered its ninth day, with both sides reporting high but differing figures of casualties. The Taliban’s Defense Ministry reports that at least 220 Pakistani soldiers have lost their lives. The fighting and subsequent airstrikes, however, have claimed the lives of nearly 400 Taliban members, according to Pakistani authorities.
According to the Taliban spokesperson, Enayatullah Khwarazmi, the Taliban have successfully captured and destroyed a Pakistani military post in the Shorabak district of Kandahar. In another instance, the Taliban have also claimed to have captured five posts in the Dand-e-Patan district of Paktia province.
According to the Taliban, the latest reinforcements sent by Islamabad have been among the casualties in the latest fighting. However, the Pakistani authorities have yet to comment on the latest Taliban claims. Due to the restricted access to the war zones, none of the figures of casualties or the changes in the territory have been verified.
