Amid Efforts To Mediate In Iran War, Pakistan Faces Fresh Attack From Afghanistan

New Delhi: Pakistan is eager to play the role of a mediator in the Iran-US conflict. In this context, Pakistan is actively working to host potential talks between Iran and the United States. However, on the other hand, Pakistan itself is currently engaged in a conflict. Heavy crossfire has once again erupted along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, causing tensions in the region to escalate rapidly. Both sides have confirmed these developments. This incident occurred just days after both nations had announced a temporary cessation of hostilities.

What is latest update in Afghanistan-Pakistan war? 

The clash between the two countries took place on Sunday, during which both sides employed artillery and heavy weaponry in the border areas. Pakistan launched attacks in Afghanistan's Kunar province, while Afghanistan carried out attacks in Pakistan's Bajaur district. According to the Afghan side, these attacks resulted in the death of at least one person and left 16 others injured, including women and children. This shelling occurred at a time when—earlier on Sunday—Pakistan had hosted regional powers to discuss de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East, and had announced that Islamabad might host talks in the coming days.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, stated on Sunday that following a meeting with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, Islamabad would facilitate dialogue between the United States and Iran. Ishaq Dar made these remarks while the foreign ministers were holding consultations regarding the conflict in West Asia. The conflict in West Asia has triggered a severe crisis within the global economy. He stated, "We agreed that this war serves no one's interest and will result only in death and destruction; in these challenging times, the unity of the Muslim community is of paramount importance."

Meanwhile, Hamdullah Fitrat, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Taliban administration in Kabul, reported that at least one person was killed and 16 others were injured—mostly women and children—as a result of the crossfire from the Pakistani side. On the other hand, Pakistani security officials stated that Pakistan merely responded to shelling originating from the Afghan side and denied targeting any civilian locations. A Pakistani government official remarked that Afghanistan's claims were exaggerated. He stated, "There were some minor violations from the Afghan side, and we responded in the same sector."

When did Afghanistan-Pakistan war start?

It is worth noting that the fiercest fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan in several years began last month, resulting in heavy casualties and material losses on both sides. Kabul claimed that more than 400 people were killed this month in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in the Afghan capital; following this incident, the two neighboring nations had ceased hostilities, but fighting flared up once again on Sunday. Pakistan dismissed the Taliban's statements regarding this attack, asserting that it had "precisely targeted military bases and terrorist support infrastructure."

In fact, at the behest of Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Afghanistan had announced a cessation of hostilities to mark the Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr—an arrangement that Islamabad formally ended last week. However, Kabul has not yet officially announced whether or not the ceasefire remains in effect on its side. Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of harboring and supporting Islamic militants who carry out attacks within Pakistan. Kabul has denied these allegations, maintaining that militancy is an internal issue for Pakistan.