Pakistan Sends Strong Message to Taliban: Strikes in Kabul Mark New Era in Counterterrorism
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In a significant escalation of its counterterrorism efforts, Pakistan has sent a strong message to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan: it will no longer restrict its actions to its own soil. A recent strike in the heart of Kabul, targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) leaders, marked a new doctrine for Islamabad, according to officials. The operation, which was described as an "unmistakable message" to the Taliban, was aimed at sending a warning that Pakistan will act if the Afghan Taliban fails to take action against militants carrying out cross-border attacks. The strike, which was widely interpreted as Pakistan's most assertive move since the Taliban takeover in 2021, targeted hideouts and facilitators responsible for orchestrating recent attacks inside Pakistan. Sources close to the assessment say the Kabul operation has had a significant psychological impact on the Afghan Taliban's leadership and security apparatus, with officials citing a "clear element of fear and caution" within the Taliban ranks. The Taliban, they say, now understand that Pakistan will chase the TTP or any other group wherever it finds them, even inside Kabul. The aftermath of the strike saw Afghan Taliban interlocutors privately reach out to Pakistani authorities to de-escalate tensions and deny involvement in a recent terrorist attack in Islamabad. This unusual move, officials say, was driven by the Taliban's fear of retribution from Pakistan. The strikes appear to have had a tangible impact, with a decline in the number of terrorist attacks observed in the region. While the threat has not disappeared, officials believe that the deterrence established by Pakistan's willingness to hit high-value targets inside Afghanistan is a direct consequence of the operation. Sources emphasize that Pakistan's policy is now unambiguous: any future attack originating from Afghan soil will be met with a swift and decisive response. "Pakistan will not wait for protracted diplomatic exchanges," an official asserted. "Our red line is simple. If there is another attack, we will act immediately."
