15,000 Taliban Fighters Marching Towards Pakistan After Deadly Airstrikes: What Will Shahbaz Sharif Do?

Pakistan’s decision to carry out airstrikes in Afghanistan has escalated tensions to a breaking point. Following the deadly strikes, which claimed the lives of 46 people—mostly women and children—the Taliban has vowed retaliation. Reports now indicate that around 15,000 Taliban fighters are advancing towards Pakistan’s borders, raising fears of an imminent conflict.

The Airstrikes That Triggered the Crisis

Late Tuesday night, Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, targeting Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) training camps. Utilizing jets and drones, Pakistan aimed to dismantle TTP’s operational bases. However, the strikes also caused significant civilian casualties, including women and children, sparking outrage from the Afghan Taliban.

Taliban’s Swift Response

In the aftermath of the airstrikes, Taliban officials condemned the attacks as a gross violation of sovereignty. They summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul and handed over a protest note denouncing the strikes. The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense has since vowed revenge, calling the strikes “barbaric.”

Reports suggest that thousands of Taliban fighters from Kabul, Kandahar, and Herat have begun marching towards the Mir Ali border area, adjacent to Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Pakistan’s Miscalculated Move

Pakistan’s strategy of targeting TTP hideouts within Afghan territory appears to have backfired. While the operation might have dismantled some militant infrastructure, it has enraged the Afghan Taliban, a group that has historically shared ties with TTP.

The irony lies in Pakistan’s own history of using the Taliban as a strategic tool against its adversaries, particularly India. Groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba operated from Taliban-controlled regions with Pakistan’s tacit approval. However, the situation has now turned against Pakistan, with the Taliban harboring and supporting TTP fighters who have intensified attacks within Pakistan.

Rising Terrorism in Pakistan

Since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Pakistan has faced a surge in terrorist attacks. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to rein in TTP militants using Afghan soil to launch attacks. However, the Afghan Taliban has largely ignored these demands, exacerbating tensions.

A Brewing Crisis

With 15,000 Taliban fighters now reportedly marching towards Pakistan, the stage is set for a potential confrontation. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif faces a grave challenge: how to manage this escalating crisis without plunging the region into further chaos.

The situation highlights Pakistan’s precarious position, caught in the blowback of its historical support for extremist groups. Whether diplomacy, military action, or international mediation can defuse the crisis remains to be seen. However, the looming conflict serves as a stark reminder of the long-term costs of nurturing militancy.