KARACHI: Afghan Taliban forces targeted “several points” in neighboring Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes this week, Afghanistan’s defense ministry said on Saturday, marking the latest surge in hostilities along the disputed frontier between the two nations.
The Durand Line, established as the boundary between Afghanistan and British India in 1893, has been a persistent source of contention, with no Afghan government ever recognizing it as an international border. Tensions along this frontier further escalated since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021, further straining relations between the two countries.
The Afghan defense ministry statement did not mention Pakistan, but said the strikes were conducted “beyond the assumptive lines,” an expression used by the authorities in Kabul to refer to the country’s border with Pakistan.
A Pakistani security source acknowledged the attack, saying the skirmishes had injured three soldiers and resulted in “heavy casualties” on the Afghan side.
“Several points beyond the assumptive lines where the attacks in Afghanistan were organized and coordinated from wicked elements’ hideaways, centers and supporters; were targeted in retaliation from the southern side of the country,” the Afghan defense ministry said on X.
The Pakistani security source said around 20-25 members of “Fitna Al-Khwarij,” a reference to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), attempted to infiltrate Pakistan’s border in Kurram and North Waziristan districts while “using border posts of the Afghan Taliban.”
The TTP leadership is reportedly based in Afghanistan. Pakistan has frequently accused the Taliban government of facilitating attacks by the militant network against its security forces and civilians, urging Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by such armed factions.
The Afghan Taliban, however, deny these allegations, asserting that Pakistan’s security problems are internal matters that require attention from the Islamabad government.
“Upon failure of the infiltration attempt, TTP members and the Afghan Taliban [forces] opened fire on Pakistani posts using heavy weapons early morning on Dec. 28,” the Pakistani security source said. “Pakistani forces retaliated to this unprovoked fire and there were reports of deaths of more than 15 TTP members and Afghan Taliban forces.”
The border skirmish followed Pakistan’s reported airstrikes in an eastern town of Afghanistan, which targeted alleged TTP hideouts, amid allegations by Pakistani officials of cross-border militant attacks.
Afghan authorities claimed the victims of the strikes included residents from Pakistan’s border regions, who were uprooted during military operations against TTP fighters in recent years, with the United Nations (UN) expressing concern over civilian casualties and urging an investigation.
The Pakistan military, however, pledged to dismantle “terrorist networks” to safeguard its citizens, without acknowledging the airstrikes.
Afghanistan says its forces targeted ‘several points’ in Pakistan in retaliation for this week’s airstrikes
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Afghanistan says its forces targeted ‘several points’ in Pakistan in retaliation for this week’s airstrikes
- The skirmishes mark the latest spike in hostilities on the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan
- A Pakistani defense source says fighting along the border led to ‘heavy casualties’ on the Afghan side
Cherry festival in northern Pakistan draws crowds amid growing exports to China
- Gilgit-Baltistan, which produces 9,000 tons of cherries, exported over a quarter of the crop to China last year
- Agricultural experts say the region’s cold climate is ideal for growing cherries, apricots and apples
SKARDU, Gilgit-Baltistan: As Pakistan begins to export cherries to neighboring China, a colorful one-day festival in Skardu this week drew hundreds of visitors, highlighting the potential of agri-tourism and cherry farming in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, officials and growers said.
Home to the Khunjerab Pass — the highest paved international border crossing in the world — GB is often described as Pakistan’s gateway to China.
The region’s cold climate is ideal for growing high-quality fruits such as cherries, apricots and apples.
“This is the 5th National Cherry Festival, and we are organizing Agri-Mela as part of the festival,” Zakir Hussain, deputy director at the GB agriculture department, told Arab News on Friday.
“The aim of this festival is to introduce cherry as a cash crop.”
He said the event, organized in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, aimed to raise awareness about harvesting, marketing and the economic importance of cherries.
According to the GB agriculture department, the region produces 8,000 to 9,000 tons of cherries annually, with dried cherry marketing now also underway.
“Almost 3,000 tons of cherries had been exported to China in 2024,” Hussain said, adding that GB was the leading cherry-producing region in Pakistan.
Local farmers say the festival boosts their income and visibility.
“We have been growing cherries for the last 12 to 13 years and we have 200 to 300 cherry trees in our orchard,” said Skinder Ali, a 40-year-old farmer. “Whenever the festival is held in Gilgit-Baltistan, we participate. And due to this event, we get access to the market at the national level.”
The festival also attracted tourists from other parts of the country.
“We especially came to Skardu to see the cherries, and we are from Islamabad,” Zohra Begum, a 52-year-old visitor, said. “We have been visiting [the stalls] for the last hour... The taste of cherries is very good ... So far we have purchased 10 kilograms. Let’s see how much we purchase later.”
“I am a traveler and biker from Lahore,” said Mohsin Abbas, another tourist. “We were in Shigar last night when we came to know about the festival. So we came here... We have tasted the cherries and they are very delicious.”
Ghulamullah Saqib, an agriculture expert and trainer, said the region’s climate is well suited for cherries, which require 800 to 1,000 chilling hours to bear fruit.
“There are 14 varieties of cherry that are found in Gilgit-Baltistan,” he added.
Pakistan asks distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate Muharram gatherings
- Thousands of Pakistanis take part in religious gatherings, processions every year in Muharram
- Energy ministry instructs DISCOs to inspect distribution networks, place teams on high alert
iSLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Energy Ministry on Sunday directed senior officials of distribution companies (DISCOs) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate religious gatherings next month during Muharram.
Thousands of Pakistanis every year during the Islamic month of Muharram take part in religious gatherings and processions to pay tribute to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala.
In its letter, the ministry said Muharram is falling in July when heat waves are expected in many parts of the country.
“It is very much imperative that all necessary measures are taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to facilitate these religious gatherings and avoid any inconvenience to the public,” the letter said.
The ministry urged DISCOs to conduct thorough inspections of all transmission and distribution networks, particularly in areas where religious gatherings and processions are expected to take place.
It also directed the companies to deploy dedicated emergency response teams on high alert throughout Muharram, especially on the 9th and 10th of Muharram when the main processions take place, to address any power disruptions immediately.
The ministry instructed DISCOs to communicate with consumers, especially mosques and imambargahs, regarding any scheduled maintenance or potential load management measures to minimize inconvenience.
“Assign duty rosters to ensure 24/7 availability of technical and operational staff during Muharram to respond swiftly to any power-related issues,” the letter read.
“The sanctity of Muharram demands our utmost commitment to serving the public with diligence and respect,” it said. “Any negligence in this regard will be viewed seriously.”
The Energy Ministry directed DISCOs to submit a compliance report to the Power Division regarding the measures taken in this regard.
Thousands of people suffer from power outages, lasting several hours each day, during the summers every year in Pakistan.
Pakistan suffers from an energy crisis that stems largely from a gap in its energy supplies and electricity demand. The cash-strapped country lacks adequate resources to run its oil-and-gas-powered plants and imports most of its energy needs.
India arrests two for harboring Kashmir attackers
- Suspects provided food, shelter, logistical support to “terrorists” who killed tourists in Pahalgam, says Indian agency
- Pahalgam attack led to armed military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May in which over 70 were killed
SRINAGAR, India: New Delhi’s counter-terrorism agency said Sunday it has arrested two men in India-administered Kashmir for allegedly harboring Pakistani gunmen behind a deadly attack on civilians that sparked a days-long conflict between the two countries.
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the two suspects were from the Pahalgam area, where gunmen killed 26 people two months ago.
“The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had... selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity,” a statement by NIA said. The majority of those killed were Hindu men.
The agency identified the two men as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, claiming the duo “have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack,” and have confirmed they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group.
New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the attack without making public any evidence, and Islamabad has denied the charge.
The April 22 killings triggered a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures by the nuclear-armed countries and led to intense exchanges of missile, drone and artillery fire.
The four-day conflict left more than 70 people dead on both sides.
Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between the South Asian rivals — claimed by both in full — since their independence from British rule in 1947, and the neighbors have fought two wars over its control.
Rebel groups, demanding the divided region’s independence or merger with Pakistan, have waged an insurgency since 1989.
Pakistan condemns US strikes on Iran nuclear sites, warns of regional escalation
- Analysts warn of regional blowback, rising energy costs
- Cross-border security risks also heighten for Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday condemned US airstrikes targeting Iran’s key nuclear facilities, as experts warned that further escalation could push the Middle East toward a wider war with dangerous economic and security consequences for countries like Pakistan.
The strikes, carried out by the US military early Sunday, hit three Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz. The attacks came amid Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran’s nuclear program, which Israeli officials claim is nearing weaponization, an allegation Iran denies, insisting its activities remain peaceful and under international safeguards.
US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against retaliation, saying Washington could target more sites “with precision, speed and skill.” Iran has said it “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.”
In a statement released on Sunday afternoon, Pakistan’s foreign office said it was “gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region” and described the US strikes as a violation of international law.
“Pakistan condemns the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities which follow the series of attacks by Israel,” the statement read. “Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond.”
Pakistan said Iran had the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilian lives and “immediately bring the conflict to an end.”
“Recourse to dialogue, diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter remain the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region,” the statement added.
Tensions flared on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes against what it described as Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure. Iran, a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), has since retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli targets. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has now directly joined the campaign.
Experts warn the latest US strikes undermine global arms control norms and would have both economic and security implications for Pakistan.
Dr. Rabia Akhtar, an expert on nuclear security, said attacking a safeguarded nuclear program “destroyed the very space diplomacy depends on.”
“If the response to nuclear restraint is pre-emptive force, you normalize the idea that only the bomb ensures sovereignty,” she said.
Syed Ali Zia Jaffery, deputy director at the Center for Security, Strategy and Policy Research at the University of Lahore, said the latest US strikes had dealt a “severe blow” to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
“Iran, which is a party to the NPT, might decide to leave that treaty which will be a massive loss for the non-proliferation regime,” Jaffery told Arab News.
He said Tehran now had the right under international law to target US installations in the Middle East and could step up attacks on Israel in response. Jaffery also warned that if Iran were to block the Strait of Hormuz, it would have “serious consequences” for the global economy.
Indeed, a wider Middle East conflict could disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil passes, adding to price pressures for Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel.
“More than 30 percent of the energy transits through the strait and one should expect an astronomical rise in oil prices and other tradables passing through the Strait of Hormuz,” said Pakistan’s former ambassador to Iran, Asif Durrani.
Instability could also spill over Pakistan’s 900-kilometer border with Iran in Balochistan, an area prone to separatist militancy and cross-border attacks by armed groups.
The crisis also raises questions about how Islamabad will navigate its delicate balancing act between Iran, other Gulf partners, and the United States, which remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a critical source of military and economic assistance. How Pakistan manages these competing ties amid an escalating regional conflict could test its diplomacy in the coming weeks.
Five militants killed, two CTD personnel injured in southwest Pakistan— police
- Balochistan CTD carry out intelligence-based operation in Killa Abdullah district, say police
- Pakistani Taliban militants have carried out deadly attacks against law enforcers since decades
QUETTA: Five militants were killed while two Balochistan Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel were injured during a counterterror operation in southwestern Pakistan this week, CTD said.
The CTD said its personnel conducted an intelligence-based operation in Jungle Pir Alizai area of Balochistan’s volatile Killah Abdullah district on Saturday when the exchange between the Pakistani Taliban or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and law enforcers took place.
“In an exchange of fire, five suspected terrorists were killed,” the CTD spokesperson said in a statement released Saturday night. “Weapons and explosives were recovered from the terrorists during the operation,” it added.
CTD said maps of “sensitive locations” and other items were also recovered from the slain militants, adding that they were involved in militant activities in Pishin and Killa Abdullah districts.
The TTP has launched some of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and southwestern Balochistan provinces targeting civilians and law enforcers since 2007.
Pakistan has suffered a surge in militant attacks in KP and Balochistan since November 2022 when peace talks between the state and the TTP broke down.
Pakistan blames the Afghan government in Kabul for sheltering TTP militants that carry out attacks against Islamabad. The Afghan Taliban deny the allegations and have urged Islamabad to resolve its security challenges internally.
The TTP has mainly carried out its operations in KP though it has also targeted Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land mass yet its most backward by almost all social and economic indicators.
Balochistan has been rocked by a low-level insurgency for decades, where ethnic Baloch separatists accuse Islamabad of denying locals a share in the province’s natural and mineral resources.
Pakistan denies the allegations and says it is carrying out several health, educational and development projects in the province.
