Sixth Day of Clashes Between Taliban, Pakistan Raises Regional Concerns as EU and UN Voice Alarm

Sixth Day of Clashes Between Taliban, Pakistan Raises Regional Concerns as EU and UN Voice Alarm
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Military confrontations between the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan and Pakistan entered a sixth consecutive day, with both sides exchanging strikes and accusations amid growing international concern over regional stability.

More details in the following report:

The Taliban’s Defense Ministry said its forces carried out what it described as “retaliatory attacks” on Pakistani military positions near border areas in Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost and Kandahar provinces. It claimed Pakistani casualties and damage to military installations. Taliban officials also said they targeted major Pakistani military sites, including Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi and locations in Quetta and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and released drone footage allegedly showing the strikes. Pakistani authorities did not immediately confirm those claims.

Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said Pakistani forces conducted airstrikes on dozens of targets inside Afghan territory, reporting the destruction of Taliban positions and equipment. Independent verification of the claims from either side has not been possible.

Clashes have continued around the Torkham border crossing and Angoor Ada in Paktika province, with reports of heavy weapons use and aerial activity. Local authorities in Landi Kotal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, declared an emergency, closed schools and heightened security, while hospitals were placed on alert.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused militant groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, of operating from Afghan territory, allegations the Taliban deny.

Meanwhile, the European Union urged the Taliban to prevent Afghan territory from being used to threaten other countries and called for immediate de-escalation, respect for international law and protection of civilians. The United Nations Security Council has previously expressed concern about militant groups using Afghanistan as a base. The United States and China have voiced support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts.

Separately, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, released a report detailing systemic restrictions on Afghan women’s access to healthcare. Based on interviews across 29 provinces and a survey of more than 8,000 women, the report concluded that Taliban policies amount to institutionalized gender discrimination and may constitute crimes against humanity. The findings add to mounting international scrutiny as regional tensions escalate.