Pakistan’s Military Support for the Taliban Opposition: Status and Challenges

Tensions persist between Kabul and Islamabad, accompanied by an information war, psychological pressure, and border and political clashes.

АP Photo / Wahidullah Kakar

Following the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, Pakistan, with support from the United States and Saudi Arabia, aided the Afghan Mujahideen. After the fall of the communist government and the onset of civil wars, Pakistan backed opponents of the central government, especially the Taliban.

During the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Islamabad likewise maintained ties with the Taliban. Nonetheless, following the Taliban’s re-establishment in 2021, Pakistan embraced their victory while sustaining significant reservations.

Even though some Afghan jihadi and political party leaders were present in Pakistan in the summer of 2021, the divide between the two sides remained wide. Consequently, Islamabad refrained from directly supporting or hosting opponents of the Taliban.

Over the past five years, Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to stop armed groups from using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan. But the Taliban accuses Pakistan of dishonesty and of shirking its own domestic challenges.

Aside from 15 Pakistani air and drone strikes on Afghanistan during the past year, Pakistan has recently reported the downing of eight drones attributed to the Taliban administration.

On 17 July, a newly formed group named “Sepahian-e Mihan” temporarily took over the governor’s office, police command, and the Taliban intelligence office in Badakhshan.

From 23 to 25 July, clashes took place in the Zebak district of northeastern Afghanistan, close to the Pakistani border, with multi-pronged attacks targeting Taliban military bases, border outposts, and checkpoints.

In recent months, Taliban-affiliated media have reported airstrikes targeting positions of opposition groups, including the “Freedom Front,” in the “Shah Salim” area of “Chitral” district, Pakistan. According to these reports, “the Afghanistan Freedom Front” used them to plan and coordinate operations inside Afghanistan.

Some Taliban officials in Badakhshan allege that Pakistan has set up........

© New Eastern Outlook