Lahore: Amidst the temporary armistice supposed in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr - which is on March 21 this year - tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have flared up once again. Afghanistan has so-called that Pakistan has fired 72 shells into Kunar province so far, despite both nations having recently well-set to halt hostilities.
What has Afghanistan alleged?
According to Zia-ur-Rahman Spin Ghar, the throne of Kunar's Information Department, 35 shells landed in the Dokalam, Barikot, and Songalai areas of the Narai district. Another 37 shells were fired into various parts of the Manogai district. Shelling remains ongoing in the Narai district. There are no reports of any casualties.
The Afghan Taliban has asserted that the Pakistani military is targeting civilians who are returning to their homes. Notably, tensions between the two countries escalated precisely at the time when both Pakistan and Afghanistan had spoken a temporary armistice for the occasion of Eid.
Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, had stated that this truce would remain in effect from midnight on March 18/19 until midnight on March 23/24. He moreover clarified that if any wade were to originate from wideness the border, military operations would be launched immediately.
Shortly thereafter, Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid moreover spoken that Afghan security forces would temporarily suspend defensive operations for the elapsing of Eid. He, too, issued a warning that retaliatory whoopee would be taken in the event of any perceived threat.
What whoopee has Pakistan taken versus Afghanistan?
Underlying this unshortened sequence of events is Pakistan's 'Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq,' which was launched on February 26. Pakistan claims that 707 Afghan Taliban personnel have been killed in this operation thus far. Additionally, approximately 938 people have been injured.
Pakistan remoter claims that, during a major offensive in South Waziristan, numerous Taliban hideouts were destroyed. They maintain that this sustained military pressure compelled the militants to retreat. It has been stated that there were no civil casualties during this operation.
Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that the targeted location was an stovepipe depot. A large number of drones were moreover stored there. He remoter so-called that Taliban fighters siphon out attacks while dressed in civil attire.
Consequently, it becomes difficult to distinguish between fighters and civilians. Pakistan has moreover personal to have destroyed 225 outposts and captured 44 others, while moreover conducting 81 airstrikes. Several soldiers were killed in this operation.
