Despite Chinese Mediation Efforts, Taliban-Pakistan Conflict Continues With New Strikes — The Diplomat

Since the Taliban’s 2021 return to power, Pakistan has conducted several strikes inside Afghanistan, claiming to have targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror bases. Growing mistrust and tensions over the TTP boiled over into outright conflict in October 2025, which earlier this year was termed an “open war” by Pakistani officials. Despite several mediation attempts by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and China, the tensions have not faded away. Last Sunday, Pakistan conducted its latest strikes inside Afghanistan. According to the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), at least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others, including women and children, were injured during these strikes. The Taliban said that at least 36 civilians were killed and over 160 were injured in the strikes, which hit civilian homes. The Taliban described the attack as “cowardly” and an “atrocity.” Pakistan, on the other hand, said that it had carried out a ground operation along the border and air strikes targeting militant hideouts in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces. Islamabad claimed that 29 militants had been killed. Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s information minister said that it was an operation in response to “recent terrorist attacks against innocent people.” The Taliban launched retaliatory strikes inside Pakistan, claiming to have carried out strikes along the Pakistani border, injuring several people inside Balochistan Province. After the Taliban strikes,…