Pakistan’s defence minister on Wednesday issued a strong warning to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, saying Islamabad does not need its full arsenal to “completely obliterate the Taliban regime” after peace negotiations failed in Istanbul.
The remarks mark a dramatic escalation of rhetoric between the neighbouring nations. They came after a four-day round of negotiations mediated by Turkey and Qatar failed to produce a lasting truce, raising concerns that regional stability may be in jeopardy.
Pakistani officials held that the talks broke down over the Taliban government’s refusal to rein in the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—a militant group Pakistan accuses of using Afghan soil to attack its forces. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the Afghan side had deviated from the key issue, engaging instead in a “blame game.”
Earlier this month saw a dramatic spike in violence along the frontier that separates the two countries. Pakistan carried out airstrikes on targets inside Afghanistan, saying it was responding to deadly assaults by militants who had crossed the border. The strikes hit locations that Islamabad described as safe havens for fighters.
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The Taliban fired back with heavy weapons at Pakistani military posts, leading to intense gun battles that lasted several hours. Local authorities on both sides confirmed significant casualties and damage to border infrastructure.
The clashes were the deadliest since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Families living near the border fled their homes and trade routes that support thousands of workers shut down as fear spread through the area.
A cease fire was arranged in Doha on October 19 by Qatari and Turkish mediators, temporarily calming the situation. The agreement created a narrow window for diplomacy and humanitarian relief.
Weekend reports indicated that five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants died despite the truce. The border remains tense and major crossings are closed.
With the collapse of talks, Islamabad has signalled readiness for possible military action if attacks continue. Kabul has not publicly responded to the latest threat.