Pakistani Politicians Unite Against Afghan Taliban Aggression

Regional outlets frame the clash as a dramatic breakdown between Pakistan and the Taliban, who once cooperated closely during the war in Afghanistan. Reporting traces how disputes over border control, militant sanctuaries and Pakistan’s demands on the Taliban have led to open conflict, while also noting Kabul’s latest statements that it is open to talks. Commentators in this block warn that continued fighting could destabilise border regions, disrupt trade routes and complicate relations among South Asian neighbours.

• •Pakistan and the Taliban, once aligned during the US war in Afghanistan, have now slid into what Islamabad calls an 'open war'.
• •Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities say they are open to talks with Pakistan even after the latest strikes.
• •Border clashes and cross-border shelling have intensified in recent days along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier.
• •Regional governments worry that militant groups could exploit the fighting to expand their presence in border areas.
• •Trade and transit through key crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan face disruption as security worsens.