Solar Year 1404 Marked by Heightened Tensions in Kabul-Islamabad Relations

The solar year 1404 was the most tense period in relations between Kabul and Islamabad since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's return to power.

The Pakistani military regime conducted at least nine aerial assaults on non-military areas in Afghanistan, killing more than 480 civilians including women and children and injuring nearly 500 others. The strikes also caused destruction to religious schools, educational institutions, shops and residential houses.

Key incidents included an assault on 23 Miizan 1404 in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar that killed 40 people and wounded 170; another on the same day in Kabul's fourth district that killed one and wounded more than 10 while destroying nearly 10 houses; a strike on 4 Qaus 1404 in Gerbaz district of Khost that killed nine children and one woman; and one on 25 Hoot in a Kabul addicts' clinic that killed more than 400 and wounded over 260.

Additionally, three clashes occurred along the hypothetical Durand Line between Islamic Emirate forces and the Pakistani military regime. These resulted in six civilians killed and more than eight wounded by Pakistani fire.

The Islamic Emirate responded with retaliatory operations against military targets on Pakistani soil, killing more than 170 soldiers and wounding over 200. Enayatullah Khorazmi, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said on 15 Hoot: "These attacks, in which the enemy's aggressor outposts and bases were targeted, were concentrated in 28 points. As a result, 14 enemy outposts and 3 bases were captured and completely destroyed, and 109 enemy military personnel were killed and 148 others wounded."

Mansur, a resident of Kunar, said on 18 Aqrab 1404: "We do not want these wars to repeat again. We want both sides to resolve the challenges through dialogue."

Tensions between Kabul and Islamabad remain high as solar year 1405 begins.