Border skirmishes have ignited into near-war between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with New Delhi unexpectedly thrust into Islamabad’s crosshairs. Following retaliatory strikes on Kabul and Kandahar, Pakistan accused the Taliban of TTP protection racket backed covertly by India—a charge India swatted away as fiction.
The tit-for-tat began with Afghanistan’s response to Pakistan’s ‘successful’ elimination of 70 militants. Kabul decried civilian deaths, exposing the chasm in narratives. Lacking evidence, Pakistan’s TTP sheltering claims aim to justify its aggressive posture.
Pakistan’s Taliban honeymoon ended abruptly. Early congratulations post-takeover gave way to disillusionment as Kabul charted its own course, ignoring Islamabad’s directives. Border violence—bombings, air raids, infantry clashes—has intensified, straining ties.
Pakistan sidestepped bilateral fixes, instead spotlighting alleged India-Taliban axis. India, a consistent Afghan benefactor, countered that Pakistan scapegoats neighbors for self-inflicted wounds. Post-earthquake, India’s swift aid—food, medicine to quake-hit areas—exemplifies its commitment, alongside plans to revive diplomatic presence.
This India phobia fuels Pakistan’s rhetoric: phantom Indian support for TTP, Taliban favoritism. Rebuttals from India and Afghanistan label it nonsense. Domestically, Pakistan’s regime uses the saga to obscure TTP gains, economic meltdown, and political scandals.
Observers predict this blame-shifting sustains public backing for the Afghan campaign, painting India as the root evil. Yet, it risks alienating allies and prolonging instability. India’s measured denial underscores its focus on humanitarian diplomacy amid rising South Asian tensions.