When it seemed like tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan had eased after a ceasefire deal, the Taliban reported late last evening that Pakistani troops had carried out airstrikes against Afghan soil, killing at least 10 people. The three local cricketers were among those killed, Afghanistan’s cricket board reported, and officials there expressed profound sorrow at the loss.
The escalation occurred just after the two nations were said to have agreed to prolong a 48-hour truce until peace negotiations in Doha were finalized.
How the Conflict Escalated
The latest friction can be traced back to last week when a series of explosions shook Kabul. Although Pakistan did not claim responsibility, the blasts took place during Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India, which added to the diplomatic unease between the neighbours.
Shortly afterwards, Pakistan said its security forces had killed up to 30 militants in raids on suspected Pakistani Taliban bases in Afghanistan. Subsequently, fierce fighting erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border overnight. Pakistan allegedly blamed the Afghan side for escalating tensions deliberately, while the Taliban said that the fighting was a retaliatory measure, accusing Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty through the Kabul blasts.
Islamabad also accused the Taliban regime of harboring Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members, holding them responsible for recent terror incidents in Pakistan something Kabul was reported to have disputed.
A Ceasefire That Didn’t Last
The two countries finally settled for a 48-hour ceasefire after fierce fighting, with each side reportedly claiming that the ceasefire initiative had been initiated by the other. The ceasefire was then reportedly prolonged during continued negotiations in Doha.
But Afghan authorities claimed Pakistan violated the ceasefire at nightfall on Friday with airstrikes against southeastern Afghanistan, including Paktika province and surrounding areas. They claimed at least 10 civilians were killed in the attack, including three young cricket players from Urgun district. Reports also indicated that a civilian house in Khanadar village was targeted, causing additional casualties.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Issues Warning
Against the backdrop of escalating tensions, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said relations with Kabul would never go back to what they were before. He threatened that all Afghan citizens who were living in Pakistan would ultimately have to go back to their country, contending that Afghan citizens now had their own government in Kabul and Pakistan’s resources were for its own people.
He also denounced the Taliban regime by suggesting that Afghan leaders, who were previously reliant on Pakistan for defense, now positioned themselves with India and were working against Pakistani interests. His comments were seen as being in reaction to increased diplomatic interaction between Afghanistan and India.
Afghanistan Withdraws from Cricket Series
After the reported deaths of the cricketers, the Afghanistan Cricket Board decided to withdraw from the forthcoming tri-nation cricket series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka as a token of respect to the deceased. The board said the players went to Sharana in Paktika province for a friendly match and were attacked upon their return to their home.
Some Afghan global players were very saddened by the tragedy. Rashid Khan expressed himself as shattered that not just cricketers but women and children too lost their lives, particularly those who once had aspirations of representing their nation. Fazalhaq Farooqi condemned the attack as a heinous crime against innocent civilians. Mohammad Nabi said that the tragedy was not just of Paktika but was a bitter loss for the whole Afghan cricket fraternity as well as for the rest of the country.
Also Read: Who Were the Afghan Cricketers Killed in Paktika Airstrike? Meet Kabeer, Sibghatullah, & Haroon
