Description: The Pakistani military has announced it conducted up to 10 airstrikes inside Afghanistan territory as a retaliation to Afghanistan launching drone attacks on Pakistani territory. According to the statement, several targets were hit in the provinces of Paktia, Khost and Kandahar. The Afghan Taliban government stated that up to four civilians were killed and labeled Pakistan’s intervention as unacceptable. Pakistan on their part claimed that it targeted militant hideouts, where launch sites for drones and munitions depos were stored. Pakistan has lately come under intense offensive by separatist and militant forces which Pakistan claims are funded and supported by the Afghan Taliban. The renewed wave of hostilities arrives after China, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia mediated a ceasefire back in Apr this year, which has deteriorated due to constant exchange of cross – border attacks.
Impact: The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan is highly likely transformed into a consistent cross – border war with temporary cessation of hostilities. Neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan has a comprehensive anti – terrorism strategy to tackle the militant and separatist groups operating across the Durand line which highly likely indicates an escalation of armed confrontation between the neighbors. The mediation efforts by China, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia highly likely enabled a temporary respite and failed to address the core issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. These efforts are likely still of vital importance as they are tied to any potential strategy of diplomatic reconciliation between the two countries and establishing a long – term anti-terrorism strategy which would result in a permanent solution to the conflict.