Are tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalating again?

Pearl Pandya, South Asia Senior Analyst at ACLED, said: 

"Fresh airstrikes have been reported in Afghanistan's border provinces but there are very different accounts of what happened. 

"Afghan Taliban authorities claimed the strikes hit civilian homes, killing 13 people, including 11 children. Pakistan, meanwhile, said it targeted infrastructure belonging to the TTP and other Islamist militant groups, killing 26 militants.

"The strikes come in response to a TTP attack on paramilitary personnel in Pakistan’s Peshawar district yesterday and been reported in Afghanistan's border provinces of Kunar, Paktika and Khost. 

"Since the outbreak of the conflict in late February, ACLED data show that Pakistan has carried out almost 200 strikes into Afghanistan, nearly half of which impacted civilians. The conflict's toll on civilians is only mounting, with over 100,000 displaced from Afghanistan's border areas according to OCHA, and humanitarian assistance disrupted by border closures.

"Even so, there is no easy resolution. Pakistan remains unconvinced by Afghanistan’s guarantees when it comes to controlling cross-border militancy, and low-level diplomatic talks in China and Turkey have only yielded limited gains. Although hostilities fell to their lowest level since the conflict began in May, yesterday's attack and subsequent overnight strikes underscore the challenges to achieving a lasting breakthrough."

For more, or to interview Pearl Pandya, contact [email protected]