Cross-border attack: Pakistan's patience 'running thin' with Afghan Taliban
A view of the Pak-Afghan border. PHOTO: FILE
Five Pakistanis soldiers on Sunday embraced martyrdom in exchange of fire with terrorists from across the border with Afghanistan, as Islamabad’s patience with the interim Taliban government there appears to running out in the wake of it for the first time publicly condemning the use of the neighbouring country’s soil against it since the Kabul takeover.
"Terrorists from inside Afghanistan across the international border opened fire on Pakistani troops in Kurram District," read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Pakistani troops responded in a "befitting" manner causing heavy causalities to the terrorists, the military's media wing added.
However, a result of exchange of fire, five Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom.
The martyred soldiers include Lance Naik Ajab Noor (resident of Karachi, age 34 years), Sepoy Ziaullah Khan (resident of Lakki Marwat, age 22 years), Sepoy Naheed Iqbal (resident of Karak, age 23 years, Sepoy Sameerullah Khan (resident of Bannu, age 18 years) and Sepoy Sajid Ali (resident of Bahawalnagar, age 27 years).
According to the ISPR, Pakistan condemned the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan. "[Islamabad] expects that the interim Afghan government will not allow conduct of such activities against Pakistan in future."
"[The] Pakistan Army is determined to defend Pakistan’s borders against the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve," the statement added.
Read more: Five soldiers martyred in terrorists' attack from Afghanistan
This is for first time Pakistan has officially condemned the use of Afghan soil for terrorism under the Taliban rule.
On previous occasions, the country opted to downplay similar incidents. Even when Taliban soldiers tried to disrupt fencing on the border, Pakistan termed it as a “localised problem”.
It appears now that Islamabad is running out of patience with the interim Taliban government as despite its repeated promises, Afghan soil continues to be used by terrorists against Pakistan.
The latest incident came on the heels of the coordinated terrorist attacks in Naushki and Pangur in Balochistan.
Pakistani intelligence agencies intercepted communication between the attackers and their handlers in India and Afghanistan.
It is believed that Pakistan has conveyed its concerns to the Taliban government about the repeated use of Afghan soil by terrorists.
The Taliban government, during the recent visit of National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf, had assured that the Afghan soil would not be allowed to use against other country, including Pakistan.
Since the Taliban takeover, Islamabad wanted the interim government to either take action against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or deny them the space to operate out of Afghan soil.
The Afghan Taliban instead offered to broker a peace deal between Pakistan and the TTP, resulting in a month-long ceasefire in November. However, the truce ended with no progress in peace talks.
Since then, the TTP stepped up attacks while Pakistan also resumed operations against the terrorist outfit.
The Afghan Taliban are thought to be still keen to revive talks between Pakistan and the TTP but the spike in terrorist attacks means there are no prospects of such negotiations in the foreseeable future.