Afghan Agriculture Minister Omari Concludes India Visit With Strong Commitment To Bilateral Cooperation

Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, concluded his high-level visit to India on Sunday. He was accompanied by a senior delegation, and the visit ended with a strong commitment to sustaining momentum in bilateral engagement and advancing agricultural cooperation between the two nations.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that this was the fourth ministerial-level visit from Afghanistan to India since October 2025. The frequency of such exchanges reflects the growing importance of agricultural collaboration in the broader framework of India-Afghanistan relations.

During the visit, Omari met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and explored new avenues in agriculture, irrigation, livestock, agricultural research, education, capacity building, and agri-trade.

These discussions underscored the shared priority of strengthening Afghanistan’s agricultural base while leveraging India’s expertise in modern farming practices.

Food security, seed systems, and crop productivity were central themes. India reiterated its commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s agricultural sector through cooperation in climate-resilient and bio-fortified crop varieties, sustainable irrigation practices, water harvesting, watershed development, and other mutually beneficial initiatives. This reflects India’s long-standing role in helping Afghanistan build resilience against climate change and food insecurity.

In another significant meeting, Omari met Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan. Their discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in food processing through value addition, infrastructure development, technology transfer, capacity building, and promotion of bilateral trade in agricultural and food products.

This engagement is expected to open new opportunities for Afghan farmers and entrepreneurs to access Indian markets and technologies.

The Afghan Minister also met Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita. They exchanged views on ongoing bilateral cooperation aimed at supporting the welfare and development of the Afghan people, reaffirming India’s commitment to humanitarian and developmental assistance.

The delegation held extensive interactions with key Indian institutions and organisations. These included the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), International Potato Centre (CIP), International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). These engagements provided Afghanistan with access to advanced agricultural research, financial expertise, and industry partnerships.

The visit is seen as a significant step in consolidating India’s role as a reliable partner in Afghanistan’s agricultural development. It also reflects Afghanistan’s determination to modernise its farming systems, enhance food security, and integrate with regional trade networks.

The outcomes of this visit are expected to contribute to Afghanistan’s long-term stability and economic recovery, while reinforcing India’s strategic vision of fostering peace and prosperity in the region.

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UN Expresses Concern Over Civilian Trauma After Pakistani Strikes Kill 36 In Afghanistan

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has voiced concern over the impact of Pakistani military strikes inside Afghanistan. The organisation highlighted that the attacks have heightened fear and psychological trauma among children, according to reports carried by Tolo News.

OCHA stressed that the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law must remain paramount. The agency underscored that indiscriminate strikes in populated areas undermine humanitarian principles and exacerbate suffering among vulnerable groups.

Media reports confirmed that 36 people, including women and children, were killed in the Pakistani strikes, while 163 others sustained injuries. The bombardments took place last week in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces, leaving widespread devastation.

On 29 June, the Taliban-led government in Kabul reported that Pakistani fighter jets had carried out cross-border attacks in Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces. The deputy spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, detailed the civilian toll in a statement on social media, noting that three residential houses were destroyed.

Fitrat explained that in Mandokhail Village, Chamkani District of Paktia Province, a civilian residence was bombed. An elderly man and a child were killed, while other family members were injured. When villagers gathered to conduct rescue operations, a second strike hit the same location, killing 28 people and injuring 158 others.

Another fatal strike was reported in Walust Village, Giyan District of Paktika Province. Six individuals, mostly women and children, were killed when their home was targeted. Fitrat described this as a deliberate attack on non-combatants.

In Barolo Village, Manogai District of Kunar Province, a civilian residence was destroyed. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, though the property damage was extensive. Afghan officials emphasised that the destruction of homes has displaced families and worsened humanitarian conditions.

The strikes have drawn international criticism, with humanitarian agencies warning that repeated cross-border bombardments risk destabilising the region further. Analysts note that the attacks have shattered fragile peace efforts and deepened mistrust between Islamabad and Kabul.

The United Nations’ intervention reflects growing alarm over the civilian toll and the long-term psychological impact on Afghan children.

Aid organisations have warned that trauma from repeated airstrikes could have lasting effects on mental health, education, and community resilience.

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India And Afghanistan Review Wide-Ranging Bilateral Ties, Reaffirm Commitment To Welfare And Development

India and Afghanistan convened the 4th round of the India-Afghanistan Joint Committee Meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, where both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the discussions covered humanitarian assistance, development partnership, food security, healthcare, capacity building, education, sports, trade, visa facilitation and connectivity.

The meeting was co-chaired by M. Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary (PAI), Ministry of External Affairs of India, and Shuaib Baryalai, Director General, First Political Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.

India reassured its continued commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s welfare and development needs. The Afghan side expressed appreciation for India’s sustained support and cooperation across multiple sectors.

Both delegations reaffirmed the importance of maintaining regular consultations and agreed to remain in close contact, with the next round of the Joint Committee Meeting to be scheduled at a mutually convenient time.

On Wednesday, the Afghan delegation also met Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita in New Delhi. In a post on X, Margherita stated that the discussions focused on India-Afghanistan bilateral relations, including ongoing cooperation for the welfare and development of the Afghan people. This meeting further underscored the continuity of India’s engagement with Afghanistan at multiple levels.

Afghanistan’s Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, highlighting the importance of agricultural cooperation in the bilateral agenda. Agriculture remains a critical sector for Afghanistan’s economy, and India has previously supported Afghan farmers through training programmes, supply of seeds and agricultural technology.

Last week, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. He noted that India has been sending medicines and offering development projects aimed at improving the lives of Afghan citizens. India’s assistance has included wheat supplies, vaccines, medical aid and infrastructure projects such as hospitals and clinics, which have been vital in addressing Afghanistan’s healthcare challenges.

India also strongly condemned Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism and criticised the recent airstrikes launched from Pakistan into Afghanistan, which resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. New Delhi’s firm stance against terrorism reflects its broader regional security concerns and its commitment to safeguarding civilian lives in Afghanistan.

The Joint Committee Meeting reinforced India’s long-standing partnership with Afghanistan, built on centuries of civilizational ties and modern-day cooperation. India’s multifaceted support, ranging from humanitarian aid to capacity building and infrastructure development, continues to play a crucial role in Afghanistan’s stability and progress.

The Afghan side’s appreciation of India’s efforts demonstrates the enduring trust and reliance on New Delhi’s partnership during a period of significant challenges for Afghanistan.

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Pakistan And Taliban Border Forces Clash For Second Day

Pakistani and Taliban border forces clashed for a second consecutive day in Khyber district, intensifying tensions along the frontier. Security sources in Pakistan confirmed that the fighting involved both light and heavy weapons, underscoring the seriousness of the confrontation.

The clashes were still ongoing by Monday evening, with the situation described as tense and volatile. No casualties were reported from Monday’s exchange at the time of publication.

The renewed violence followed Sunday’s incident in which Taliban border forces opened fire on Pakistani border posts in the same district. That attack left three Pakistani border troops wounded, with one in critical condition.

The back-to-back clashes highlight the fragility of relations between Islamabad and the Taliban administration in Kabul, particularly over border security and militant activity.

Pakistan’s military commanders convened in Rawalpindi and reiterated their stance that targeted operations against security threats would continue. They stressed that preventing militants from using Afghan territory to launch attacks into Pakistan was the responsibility of the Taliban administration. 

This shows Islamabad’s long-standing concern that militant groups exploit Afghan soil to destabilise Pakistan’s border regions.

The Khyber district, part of the historically volatile tribal belt, has often been a flashpoint for cross-border violence.

The use of heavy weapons in the latest clashes suggests a dangerous escalation that could spiral into broader conflict if not contained. Analysts note that such incidents risk undermining already strained diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially as Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of failing to rein in militant groups operating across the frontier.

The Taliban administration, for its part, has consistently rejected accusations of harbouring militants. 

However, the persistence of clashes along the border raises questions about its ability or willingness to control armed elements in frontier areas. The situation remains precarious, with both sides appearing unwilling to de-escalate, and the potential for further violence looming large.

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Pakistan’s Chinese Sourced Precision Arsenal Targets Afghanistan In Cross-Border Strikes

Pakistan has repeatedly carried out air strikes inside Afghanistan, claiming these are punitive operations in response to attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The most recent strike on 29 June reportedly killed nearly 30 individuals.

These operations highlight Islamabad’s reliance on precision-guided munitions, both imported and domestically developed, to extend the reach of its air force against an adversary lacking air defence systems.

The use of precision weapons provides Pakistani aircraft with a safety margin, allowing them to strike from distance without exposing pilots to immediate danger. However, the Taliban has consistently accused Pakistan of targeting civilians.

One of the deadliest incidents was the strike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, which claimed the lives of over 400 people, underscoring the devastating impact of these operations.

Among the weapons employed is the Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM. This American guidance kit converts unguided bombs into precision weapons by integrating inertial navigation with GPS. JDAM-equipped bombs have a published range of up to 28 kilometres and can be clipped onto Mark-80 series bombs weighing between 500 and 2,000 pounds. Within Pakistan’s arsenal, only the F-16 fighter jets are capable of deploying JDAMs.

Pakistan has also developed indigenous systems such as the Takbir. Produced by Global Industrial & Defence Solutions, this range-extension kit converts 500-pound class bombs into all-weather precision-guided munitions with a range of 60 kilometres. Compatible with the JF-17 fighters, Takbir relies on inertial guidance and GPS, representing Islamabad’s push for self-reliance in defence technology.

Another domestic innovation is the Al Battaar, Pakistan’s first precision weapon. This laser-guided kit can be affixed to 500 and 1,000 kilogram bombs, with a range of less than 15 kilometres. Deployed by JF-17 fighters, Al Battaar provides short-range precision strike capability against hardened targets.

Pakistan’s arsenal also includes the H-2 and H-4 stand-off weapons. These domestically produced glide bombs employ infrared homing seekers. The H-2 has a maximum range of 60 kilometres, while the H-4 extends to 120 kilometres, giving the air force the ability to strike targets from significant distances.

Chinese-developed systems further bolster Pakistan’s strike capability. The Léi Shí, or Thunder Stone, is a satellite and laser-guided munition produced by a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. This kit modifies unguided bombs of up to 500 kilograms into guided standoff weapons, deployable from both JF-17 and J-10 fighters.

Another Chinese system is the Fei Teng, or Soaring series, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. These precision-guided bombs use inertial navigation and satellite guidance, and can be employed from J-10 and JF-17 aircraft, further diversifying Pakistan’s strike options.

Together, these weapons demonstrate Pakistan’s reliance on a diverse mix of American, indigenous, and Chinese precision-guided munitions. By employing JDAMs, Takbir, Al Battaar, H-series glide bombs, and Chinese kits such as Léi Shí and Fei Teng, Pakistan has ensured its ability to conduct cross-border strikes from the safety of the air.

The Taliban’s lack of air defence systems has made these operations possible, though the civilian toll has repeatedly drawn condemnation and highlighted the human cost of precision warfare.

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Afghan Air Force Hits ISIS in Pakistan, Vows 'We’ll Target Every Threat'

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence has announced that its air force carried out precision airstrikes against ISIS positions inside Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

The strikes were described as strategic retaliation, coming amid mounting international condemnation of Pakistan’s repeated cross‑border actions and its alleged attempts to externalise domestic failures through aggression.

Reports confirmed that Afghan aircraft targeted a joint facility in the Saranan area of Pishin district in Balochistan. Additional operations were conducted in the Shah Salim Valley of Chitral and in Kambar Khel, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Taliban administration stated that these locations were actively used to coordinate sabotage operations and orchestrate attacks against Afghan civilians.

Sources revealed that a school in the Saranan area, allegedly repurposed by ISIS members and groups described as “agents of chaos and violence,” was among the primary targets. The Afghan Defence Ministry declared that its air forces had struck an ISIS joint centre and elements of “evil and corruption” in the Pishin district, neutralising several operatives during the campaign.

This decisive military action followed recent unprovoked Pakistani airstrikes along the Afghan frontier, which resulted in heavy civilian casualties. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported that at least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others injured in those Pakistani strikes, warning that the final toll could rise further.

India’s government responded with a stern diplomatic stance, strongly condemning Pakistan’s initial strikes on Afghan soil. The Ministry of External Affairs described the attacks as a “blatant act of aggression” and a “direct threat” to regional peace and stability. The statement highlighted that the strikes had killed women and children, underscoring Pakistan’s disregard for human life.

The MEA further criticised Islamabad’s actions, asserting that they reflected a persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and a futile attempt to externalise internal failures through violence beyond its borders. This strong condemnation added to the growing regional backlash against Pakistan’s conduct.

Pakistan has long attempted to shift blame for its domestic security failures by accusing Afghanistan of harbouring militants. The Taliban administration has dismissed these allegations outright, insisting that militancy remains an internal issue for Pakistan and not a problem exported from Afghan territory.

Delivering a stern warning, Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry declared that it would target every location posing a threat to its security. The statement reinforced Kabul’s determination to respond decisively to any future provocations, signalling a sharp escalation in regional tensions.

This episode highlights the deepening crisis in Afghanistan–Pakistan relations, with both sides trading accusations and military actions across the border. Analysts note that the involvement of international actors such as India and the United Nations underscores the wider implications for regional stability, as the conflict risks spiralling into a broader confrontation.

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India Slams Pakistan’s Reckless Air Strikes In Afghanistan, Calls It An Attempt To Externalize Internal Failures

India has issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan’s recent cross‑border air strikes on Afghan territory, which resulted in civilian casualties including women and children.

The Ministry of External Affairs described the attacks as a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability.

The official statement characterised the strikes as part of Pakistan’s “persistent pattern of reckless behaviour” and accused Islamabad of attempting to deflect attention from its internal challenges by externalising failures through violence beyond its borders.

The MEA emphasised that India “strongly condemns Pakistan’s air‑strikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in several civilian casualties, including women and children. This blatant act of aggression by Pakistan is an assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability.” 

The statement further added that such actions reflect Pakistan’s futile attempts to mask domestic instability by projecting force externally.

India conveyed condolences to Afghan families who lost loved ones and expressed prayers for the early recovery of those injured. The government reiterated its unwavering support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, underscoring its solidarity with the Afghan people during this crisis.

The condemnation followed reports from the Taliban‑led Afghan government detailing the civilian toll. Deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat stated that the strikes carried out last night resulted in the martyrdom of 36 civilians, including women and children, while 163 others sustained injuries.

He confirmed that three residential houses were completely destroyed. Fitrat provided a breakdown of the locations targeted, including Mandokhail Village in Chamkani District of Paktia Province, where Pakistani fighter jets bombed a civilian residence, killing an elderly man and a child while injuring other family members. A subsequent strike targeted rescuers at the same site, killing 28 villagers and injuring 158 others.

Another fatal strike was reported in Walust Village in the Giyan District of Paktika Province, where six individuals, mostly women and children, were killed. A third strike occurred in Barolo Village in the Manogai District of Kunar Province, where a civilian residence was bombed. Although no casualties were reported in this instance, the house was completely destroyed, causing significant property damage.

Pakistan confirmed the operations, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stating that Islamabad’s security forces had executed a “well‑planned intelligence‑based ground operation” alongside aerial strikes in the frontier zone.

The Pakistani government claimed the campaign was a retaliatory measure following recent terrorist incidents inside Pakistan, including attacks on security camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and a paramilitary camp in Karachi.

India’s sharp rebuke highlights the growing regional concern that Pakistan’s military actions in Afghanistan are destabilising the fragile security environment.

The strikes have not only inflicted heavy civilian losses but also risk aggravating already tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul. India’s intervention at this juncture underscores its broader commitment to regional stability and its consistent opposition to cross‑border terrorism and unilateral military aggression.

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Pakistani Airstrikes Kill 36 Civilians In Afghanistan As Islamabad Claims Militant Deaths Amid Escalating Border Conflict

Pakistani airstrikes on 29 June 2026 killed at least 36 Afghan civilians and injured 163, according to Kabul, with Islamabad insisting the operation eliminated 29 militants. The strikes, carried out in Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces, have reignited tensions and shattered recent peace efforts.

The Taliban-led Afghan government reported that Pakistani fighter jets bombed Mandokhail Village in Chamkani District, Paktia Province. An elderly man and a child were killed, while other family members were injured. When villagers gathered to rescue survivors, a second strike hit the same area, killing 28 people and injuring 158. This double strike was described as a deliberate targeting of civilians engaged in rescue operations.

In Walust Village, Giyan District of Paktika Province, six people, mostly women and children, were killed when a civilian residence was struck. In Barolo Village, Manogai District of Kunar Province, another home was destroyed, though no casualties were reported. Afghan officials noted that livestock and property were lost, adding to the devastation.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the operation, describing it as a “well-planned intelligence-based ground operation” followed by aerial strikes. He claimed the campaign was retaliation for recent militant attacks, including assaults on camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Karachi.

Islamabad said the strikes were part of “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” targeting Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Fitna al-Khwarij factions of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistani officials reported that 29 militants were killed and militant infrastructure destroyed.

The escalation followed the 27 June attack on the Sindh Rangers’ headquarters in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar locality. Militants rammed a vehicle into the compound gate, triggering gunfire and explosions. 

Three paramilitary personnel and three attackers were killed. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility, and one captured assailant was identified as an Afghan national. Islamabad argued that the cross-border strikes were necessary to neutralise militant safe havens.

Afghan officials, however, condemned the strikes as “cowardly acts of aggression” and “acts of brutality.” Deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat emphasised the civilian toll, while Hayatullah Mohajer Farahi of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture warned that Kabul would retaliate “in due time.” Both countries summoned each other’s envoys to protest the attacks, deepening the diplomatic rift.

The strikes shattered a fragile period of relative calm that had lasted less than a month. Earlier in April, China had hosted talks between Islamabad and Kabul, where both sides pledged to reduce hostilities. Those commitments have now collapsed. Since February, repeated border clashes have killed hundreds, with Afghanistan forced to retaliate against Pakistan’s incursions. International mediation by China, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE has failed to secure a lasting ceasefire.

The latest bombardment underscores the cycle of violence that has plagued the region. Pakistan insists it is responding to terrorism, while Afghanistan accuses Islamabad of deliberately targeting civilians. The attacks risk further destabilising South Asia, undermining regional security, and complicating global peace efforts.

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Pakistan Border Strikes Kill 29 After Karachi Attack

Pakistan’s security forces carried out strikes along the Pakistan-Afghan border on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of twenty-nine people.

The operation was described by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar as a “well planned intelligence based ground operation” that combined ground manoeuvres with strikes in the border region.

He stated that the action was taken in response to recent terrorist incidents targeting civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the Pakistan Rangers camp in Karachi.

The minister emphasised that the kinetic action was intended to neutralise militant threats that had escalated in recent weeks. Pakistan has faced a surge in attacks across multiple provinces, with security forces increasingly targeted by armed groups. The strikes along the frontier were presented as a direct retaliation against those responsible for orchestrating violence inside Pakistan.

The announcement came shortly after a major attack in Karachi’s Gulistan-i-Jauhar locality on Saturday night. Three paramilitary personnel and three terrorists were killed when militants rammed a vehicle into the main gate of the Sindh Rangers’ provincial headquarters.

Sindh Inspector General Javed Alam Odho confirmed that a “mopping-up operation” was underway, with Special Security Unit commandos, Anti-Terrorist Force personnel, and Rangers sealing off the area. Initial reports suggested heavy firing and an explosion at the site, prompting immediate deployment of law enforcement.

Police Surgeon Summaiya Syed reported that one paramilitary trooper was hospitalised with gunshot wounds to the leg. Rescue 1122 Sindh confirmed receiving reports of an explosion near Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 5 and dispatched teams from its central command and control centre. The incident underscored the vulnerability of Pakistan’s security infrastructure in urban centres.

An affiliate of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the Karachi attack. The group stated that nine attackers participated in the assault. This claim highlights the continuing fragmentation of militant networks in Pakistan, with splinter groups mounting coordinated strikes against state institutions. The attack followed a pattern of escalating violence, with militants targeting both urban and frontier regions.

Pakistan’s strikes along the Afghan border are likely to draw regional attention, given the sensitive nature of cross-border operations. Afghanistan has repeatedly criticised such actions, viewing them as violations of sovereignty.

The strikes may further strain relations between Islamabad and Kabul, particularly as militant groups operate across porous border areas. The timing of the operation, immediately after the Karachi attack, suggests a deliberate show of force by Pakistan’s military establishment.

The broader context reflects Pakistan’s struggle to contain militant violence that has resurged since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021. The TTP and its affiliates have intensified operations, exploiting border regions and urban vulnerabilities. Pakistan’s reliance on intelligence-based operations indicates both the scale of the threat and the government’s determination to project strength in the face of mounting insecurity.

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Islamic State-Khorasan Province: Rawalpindi’s Latest Proxy

by Nilesh Kunwar

Kabul’s “Airstrike”

Kabul’s confirmation on ‘X’ that it had conducted a series of airstrikes against ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) hideouts in Pakistan's Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces went largely unnoticed for two reasons. One, the Taliban didn't didn’t provide any further details of the attacks or casualty assessment details, and two, Islamabad not only maintained a stoic silence on the violation of its air space by Afghan “air force,” but didn’t even deny the existence of ISIS hideouts on its soil.

As Pakistan hasn’t yet officially retracted its unilateral declaration of “open war” against Afghanistan, Islamabad’s silence on this incident, though inexplicable, doesn’t come as a surprise. Presence of ISIS affiliate Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISPK) in Pakistan has been in the news for quite some time but this menacing development somehow doesn’t seem to have caught the attention of those who claim to be waging a global war on terror or express concern on the proliferation of this fundamentalist terrorist group.

While one had expected that denying ISKP presence on its soil would be the least Islamabad would do, probably the mandarins in Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) reckoned that any statement on this issue would draw global attention to ISKP sanctuaries in Balochistan and KP provinces and cause national embarrassment. And with almost no discussion or debate on the Afghan “air strike” targeting ISKP hideouts inside Pakistan, it’s apparent that the FO’s stratagem of maintaining silence has worked.

Pakistan Army’s ISKP Paradox

ISKP is a proscribed terrorist group in Pakistan and Islamabad has handed over some allegedly very high-profile ISKP terrorists to Washington. One such person is Mohammad Sharifullah whom US President Donald Trump described as “the top terrorist responsible” for the 2021 suicide bombing outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Pakistan supporters cite this as proof that the Pakistan army has no truck with this terrorist group.

Furthermore, former CENTCOM chief Gen Michael Kurilla had told the US Senate Committee that Pakistan was America’s “phenomenal partner in the counter-terrorism world,” and recounted how “Field Marshal Asim Munir had called me to tell me that had captured one of the Daesh-K (ISKP) guys. Current US CENTCOM chief Admiral Charles Bradford Cooper has also told the US Senate Committee recently that “Pakistan is a key counterterrorism partner that plays a central role in the fight against ISIS-K (ISKP) in the region.”

It may therefore appear that Rawalpindi has no links with ISPK, but there’s credible evidence to the contrary that suggests otherwise. There’s no doubt that the Pakistan army has been apprehending and handing over ISKP terrorists to Washington, and Gen Kurilla even revealed that the Pakistan army had “gone after Daesh Khorasan (ISKP) killing dozens of them” after Washington had provided specific intelligence regarding their location inside Pakistan.

So, while Gen Kurilla and Admiral Cooper may have be smitten by Rawalpindi’s actions against ISKP, the moot point is that once US intelligence shared confirmed details regarding the location of ISKP terrorists, what other option but to act on this information was Rawalpindi left with? And the then US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliff’s disclosure is particularly revealing. Speaking to Fox News, Ratcliff revealed sharing information regarding Sharifullah’s location with DGISI Lt Gen Asim Malik, and telling him bluntly that if Pakistan wanted to work with President Trump and “have good relations with our country,” it needed to accord “a high priority” to the capture of this accused.

The rest is history.

Evidence of Nexus

The Pakistan army’s close links with ISKP is no secret. It has been mentioned by the Afghan Taliban, former US special representative to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, ex-TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan and many others closely monitoring ISKP activities. In 2024, while speaking at the UN sponsored side event on “Human Rights Violation in Pakistan,” Baloch National Movement chairman Dr Naseem Baloch had also raised this issue. Sheikh Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, a former ISKP founding member who subsequently defected to the Afghan Taliban disclosed that in 2015, Pakistan army sponsored terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had given Rupees 50 lacs to the then fledgling ISKP.

Even if one dismisses these claims of a Pakistan army-ISKP nexus on the grounds that these are unsubstantiated allegations made by people with vested interests, there’s no dearth of irrefutable evidence to confirm this well founded apprehension.

In May 2025, ISPK released a 36 minutes long video in Pashto language formally declaring war against armed Baloch groups, citing an alleged attack carried out earlier by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) fighters on its camp in Mustang district of Balochistan. The Balochistan Post reported that in its video, “ISKP has warned civilians, especially the relatives of missing persons that they should not participate in the protests and rallies for Baloch rights because such gatherings have now become an important target for ISKP.”

As this warning parrots Rawalpindi’s language, it merits deliberation. Moreover, since this warning to family members of disappeared Baloch people has nothing to do with this terrorist group’s stated objective of establishing a caliphate and its condemnation of the Baloch armed struggle as un-Islamic as it is “secular, nationalist and pro-democracy “is irrefutable evident that ISKP is acting as Rawalpindi’s mouthpiece.

Most importantly, more than half of the ISKP video is devoted to denying that it's a proxy of the Pakistan army. Furthermore, ISKP's puerile attempt to convince the world that it was able to establish camps in Mustang due to lack/absence of government control and not under some covert arrangement facilitated by the Pakistan army has let the cat out of the bag and leaves no room for doubt that ISKP is indeed serving as Rawalpindi’s proxy in Balochistan.

Then there’s clinching evidence of a LeT-ISKP nexus. In October last year, a photo of ISKP’s Balochistan coordinator Mir Shafiq Mengal presenting a pistol to the LeT Nazim-e-Ala (supreme leader) Rana Mohammad Ashfaq appeared on social media. Since LeT seeks incorporation of J&K into Pakistan while ISKP harbours the global ambition of establishing a caliphate with Pakistan being a part of it, there’s no convergence of ideologies and so it’s obvious that this 'transactional' union has been orchestrated by Rawalpindi.

Rawalpindi’s Game Plan

Taliban is content having imposed sharia in Afghanistan while ISKP wants to establish a caliphate in the region and this creates a conflict of ideologies that makes both natural enemies which Rawalpindi seeks to exploit. The Pakistan army's logic is simple- if Kabul can use Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against Pakistan, Rawalpindi can pay the Taliban back in the same coin through ISKP. Moreover, since the Pakistan army has long been using terrorist groups to wage proxy wars against its neighbours, getting ISKP into its fold is no big deal.

With a long history of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds, Rawalpindi is handling ISKP just as it had handled the Afghan Taliban before it seized power in 2021. Accordingly, ISKP leaders who toe the Pakistan army’s line and direct their operations against armed Baloch groups, as well Indian security forces in J&K and across the Durand Line would continue enjoying sponsorship of the ‘establishment’.

Conversely, those ISKP terrorists whom Washington perceives as a threat or those who refuse to cooperate with the Pakistan army would be either neutralised or handed over to the US to keep Uncle Sam happy and appreciative of Pakistan’s counter terrorism efforts. Though perverse, this stratagem is working well as Pakistan has now become a “great” country in the eyes of Trump and Asim Munir his “most favourite Field Marshal.”

The annoyance expressed by Trump in his 2018 tweet calling out Islamabad’s duplicity by stating that “they (Pakistan’s government and military) have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools” and specifying that “They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan,” is a closed chapter, thanks to Field Marshal Munir’s display of unconditional servility to POTUS.

And this is what’s called killing two birds with one stone!

Nilesh Kunwar is a retired Indian Army Officer who has served in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. He is a keen ‘Kashmir-Watcher,’ and after retirement is pursuing his favourite hobby of writing for newspapers, journals and think-tanks. Views expressed above are the author's own

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Afghan Air Force Conducts Overnight Strikes On ISIS Hideouts In Pakistan

The Ministry of Defence of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has announced that its Air Force carried out overnight airstrikes against ISIS hideouts located inside Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

The operation was described as a defensive measure, with Afghan authorities claiming that these sites had been used to plan and coordinate attacks against Afghanistan with the alleged backing of hostile intelligence networks.

According to the statement issued on X, the strikes were conducted in the Gulistan area of Qila Abdullah District and the Shakar Ab Jungle Gardi area of Chagai District in Balochistan. These locations were identified as joint facilities used by ISIS militants and other hostile actors.

The Afghan Defence Ministry asserted that the attacks successfully struck all pre-designated high-value targets.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the operation targeted an ISIS-Khorasan facility in the Qamber Khel area of Orakzai Agency. The Ministry highlighted that this site was frequented by several key leaders of the group, making it a critical objective in the overnight campaign. The statement emphasised that the strikes were precise and achieved their intended outcomes.

The Defence Ministry stressed that Afghanistan will not tolerate any threats to its security and vowed to utilise its military capabilities to neutralise and eliminate such dangers. It underlined a shift in Afghanistan’s security policy, declaring that the country would no longer accept threats to its stability and would respond with full strength against any perceived aggression.

This development marks a significant escalation, as it represents cross-border military action by Afghanistan into Pakistani territory. It also underscores the growing regional tensions surrounding ISIS-Khorasan’s activities and the broader security challenges faced by both Afghanistan and Pakistan. 

Analysts note that such operations could further strain relations between Kabul and Islamabad, particularly given Pakistan’s sensitivity to foreign military actions within its borders.

The Afghan Defence Ministry concluded its statement with a firm commitment to continue defending the nation against external threats, reiterating that all available military resources would be deployed to safeguard Afghanistan’s stability and sovereignty.

ANI

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India Gifts Advanced Medical Equipment To Afghanistan To Boost Healthcare Sector

India has once again reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Afghanistan’s healthcare sector by gifting a range of advanced medical equipment to Afghan health authorities. The Ministry of External Affairs announced that the consignment includes devices for diagnosis, treatment, and specialised care, with a particular focus on neonatal and paediatric needs.

Among the equipment delivered are cardiograph machines, ventilators, patient monitors, maxillofacial electrocautery units, plastic surgery sets, and specialised medical kits designed to enhance the capacity of Afghan hospitals.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the details in a post on X, emphasising that India remains steadfast in its support for Afghanistan’s health sector. He noted that the equipment provided would directly contribute to improving medical infrastructure and patient care, particularly in critical areas such as paediatrics and surgical procedures. This initiative builds upon India’s long-standing tradition of providing humanitarian assistance and medical support to Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its broader commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, highlighting India’s focus on fostering peace, stability, and development through sustained humanitarian assistance, development cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives.

At the weekly media briefing, Jaiswal responded to questions regarding remarks made by India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, during a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan. He stressed that India’s position remains unchanged and is centred on supporting the Afghan people.

Jaiswal underscored that India and Afghanistan are contiguous neighbours and civilizational states whose ties span centuries. He explained that India continues to support Afghanistan through initiatives related to food security, healthcare, and pharmaceutical assistance, while also offering scholarships and capacity-building opportunities to Afghan students and professionals.

He added that India stands firmly in favour of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the wider region, recognising that development and stability are interlinked.

India’s development cooperation in Afghanistan has historically encompassed a wide range of projects, including the construction of hospitals, clinics, and specialised centres such as oncology and trauma facilities.

In recent years, India has also supplied large consignments of wheat, medicines, vaccines, and pesticides to Afghanistan, alongside providing treatment in India for Afghan children suffering from congenital heart diseases. These efforts reflect New Delhi’s consistent approach of combining humanitarian aid with long-term development partnerships.

The latest delivery of medical equipment is therefore part of a broader continuum of support, reinforcing India’s role as a reliable partner in Afghanistan’s healthcare and development journey.

By focusing on critical medical infrastructure and specialised care, India aims to strengthen Afghanistan’s ability to provide essential health services to its population, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and women.

This initiative also demonstrates India’s commitment to ensuring that humanitarian assistance is not only immediate but also sustainable, contributing to the long-term resilience of Afghanistan’s healthcare system.

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The Humiliation of America: A Superpower In Decline

America’s global standing is facing its most serious crisis in decades, marked by military setbacks, economic vulnerabilities, and declining political legitimacy. Once the undisputed superpower, the United States now finds itself challenged by rising powers, internal divisions, and the erosion of its moral authority.

The humiliation of America’s decline is not a sudden event but the culmination of decades of strategic overreach and systemic weaknesses.

The collapse of Pax Americana, which once defined the post-war order, began with the forces of globalisation that undermined Washington’s ability to dictate economic and political outcomes.

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 marked a turning point, as subsequent US interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, and Yemen revealed the limits of military power. Each campaign drained resources, eroded credibility, and exposed the fragility of American dominance.

The Afghan debacle stands out as a symbol of humiliation. After two decades of war, the US withdrawal in 2021 was chaotic and widely perceived as a defeat. Images of desperate evacuations from Kabul became emblematic of a superpower unable to secure victory against insurgents. This episode echoed the fall of Saigon in 1975, reinforcing the narrative of decline and loss of prestige.

Economically, America’s position has been weakened by the rise of China, the resurgence of Russia, and the emergence of multipolarity. The dollar remains dominant, but its supremacy is increasingly contested by alternative financial systems and regional blocs.

The 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recessions exposed vulnerabilities in the US-led economic order, while the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted systemic fragility, including supply chain dependence and domestic inequality.

Politically, America’s legitimacy has been eroded by polarisation at home and scepticism abroad. The 2024 presidential election underscored deep divisions within society, with misinformation and populism undermining confidence in democratic institutions.

Allies question Washington’s reliability, while adversaries exploit its weaknesses. The erosion of alliances, particularly in Europe and Asia, has diminished America’s ability to shape global rules unilaterally.

Culturally, the soft power that once projected American ideals of democracy and freedom has lost much of its appeal. The rise of populism, racial tensions, and domestic unrest has tarnished the image of the United States as a beacon of stability.

Meanwhile, rising powers such as China promote alternative models of governance and development, challenging the universality of the American narrative.

Strategically, the overstretch of military commitments has left the US vulnerable. The attempt to maintain dominance across multiple theatres has strained resources and exposed weaknesses. The war in Ukraine, where Washington supports Kyiv against Moscow, has revealed limits to American influence, as Russia continues to resist Western pressure.

Similarly, in the Indo-Pacific, China’s assertiveness challenges US naval supremacy, while regional states hedge their bets rather than fully align with Washington.

The humiliation lies not only in setbacks but in the perception that America is no longer capable of dictating outcomes. The transition from unipolarity to multipolarity is irreversible, and the United States must now contend with a world where its power is relative rather than absolute.

The lessons from history’s great powers suggest that decline is inevitable when overstretch, internal division, and loss of legitimacy converge.

The story of America’s fall is therefore not just about military defeats or economic crises, but about the erosion of the very foundations of its hegemony. The superpower that once shaped the world order now faces the reality of diminished influence, contested authority, and growing irrelevance in some spheres. 

The humiliation is profound because it marks the end of an era where America could act with impunity, replaced by a world where it must negotiate, compromise, and adapt.

Agencies

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India Reaffirms Commitment To Peace, Stability And Development In Afghanistan

India has once again reaffirmed its enduring commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, with the Ministry of External Affairs emphasising that New Delhi remains focused on fostering peace, stability and development in Afghanistan.

During the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that India’s position is unchanged and centred on supporting the Afghan people through humanitarian assistance, development cooperation and capacity-building initiatives.

His remarks followed the statement made by India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

Jaiswal highlighted that India and Afghanistan are contiguous neighbours and civilizational states whose ties have spanned centuries. He underlined that India continues to support Afghanistan through initiatives related to food security, healthcare and pharmaceutical assistance, while also providing scholarships and capacity-building opportunities.

He stressed that India stands firmly in favour of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the wider region, noting that development cooperation remains a cornerstone of India’s engagement with the Afghan people.

The MEA spokesperson pointed out that India’s development programmes benefit all sections of Afghan society, including women and children. He explained that many of India’s initiatives cut across gender and social divides, ensuring that women and children are equally supported.

Scholarships and training programs offered to Afghan students and professionals have been a vital part of this cooperation, and Jaiswal confirmed that these efforts will continue.

He also reflected on peace and security-related concerns raised during the UN briefing, reiterating New Delhi’s commitment to Afghanistan’s progress. Jaiswal emphasised that India’s position remains consistent with the statement delivered by Harish at the UNSC, reaffirming India’s determination to foster peace, stability and development for the Afghan people.

At the UNSC briefing, Harish described India and Afghanistan as civilizational states whose relationship has been shaped by centuries of close ties. He assured that India would continue to support peace and stability in Afghanistan while strengthening development cooperation.

He noted that India’s humanitarian and development initiatives extend across all 34 Afghan provinces through more than 500 partnership projects focused on healthcare, public infrastructure and capacity building. Harish also highlighted India’s active participation in the Doha working group meetings as evidence of its sustained engagement.

Detailing India’s assistance efforts, Harish mentioned recent humanitarian support, including flood-relief supplies, vaccines for child immunisation programmes, and the treatment of Afghan children with congenital heart diseases in India. He also referred to infrastructure projects such as maternity clinics, oncology centres and trauma centres, which are being established to provide much-needed healthcare support. India’s collaboration with partner agencies such as UNICEF and the Afghan Red Cross Society has been crucial in delivering these initiatives.

Harish further outlined India’s extensive humanitarian supplies since August 2021, including more than 50,000 tonnes of wheat, 420 tonnes of medicines and vaccines, and 40,000 litres of pesticide. He highlighted India’s scholarship programs, noting that around 3,000 Afghan students, including 1,000 women, have benefited from educational opportunities in India since 2023.

He confirmed that another 1,000 scholarships will soon be offered, further strengthening educational and cultural ties between the two nations.

India’s ongoing projects include the construction of a 30-bed hospital in Kabul and a thalassaemia centre in Herat, alongside the installation of advanced medical devices across Afghan hospitals.

These efforts reflect India’s long-standing partnership with Afghanistan and its determination to provide tangible support to the Afghan people during a period of immense challenges.

By combining humanitarian aid, healthcare infrastructure, educational opportunities and capacity-building programmes, India has sought to address both immediate and long-term needs, reinforcing its role as a steadfast partner in Afghanistan’s development journey.

ANI

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Pakistan's Security Headaches Have Multiplied: A Russia-Taliban Defence Pact Reshapes South Asian Geopolitics, Weakens Pakistan

Russia’s decision to sign a landmark military cooperation agreement with the Taliban has triggered a profound shift in South Asia’s strategic landscape.

This pact, finalised during the International Security Forum in Moscow, is the first formal defence treaty the Taliban regime has entered into with any foreign nation.

It goes far beyond symbolism, laying out structural cooperation in arms exchanges, technology transfers, licensing agreements, and joint development projects. For Kabul, this provides legitimacy and access to advanced military hardware, while for Moscow, it secures influence in Afghanistan and strengthens its buffer against extremist spill over into Central Asia.

The irony of this alignment is striking when viewed against history. In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, only to be bled dry by mujahideen fighters funded by the United States and funnelled through Pakistan.

Those guerrillas eventually forced the Red Army’s withdrawal in 1989, hastening the Soviet collapse. Out of the ensuing civil war, the Taliban emerged in the early 1990s, composed of religious students and former mujahideen. Today, the descendants of those fighters are entering into defence cooperation with the very state their predecessors once fought to expel.

For Pakistan, this development is a strategic nightmare. Its military establishment long viewed Afghanistan as a source of “strategic depth” in the event of war with India, investing heavily in supporting the Taliban insurgency against Western-backed governments.

Yet since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, relations have soured dramatically. Kabul has refused to recognise the Durand Line as the official border and has tolerated the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which continues to launch deadly attacks inside Pakistan.

This has led to escalating hostilities, including border skirmishes, cross-border shelling, and Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory. Instead of providing depth, Afghanistan has become a liability, forcing Pakistan to stretch its military resources across two volatile fronts.

India, by contrast, has pursued a pragmatic engagement strategy. While avoiding formal recognition of the Taliban government, New Delhi has reopened its embassy in Kabul with a technical team and focused on humanitarian assistance such as wheat supplies, vaccines, and winter relief.

This development-first diplomacy has earned goodwill among Afghans and Taliban leaders. India has also explored structured trade channels, revitalised air freight corridors, and considered infrastructure investments through Iran’s Chabahar Port. By steering clear of interference in Afghan politics, India has revived its soft power and built a functional relationship with Kabul, positioning itself as a stabilising partner.

The Russia-Taliban pact dovetails neatly with India’s interests. Moscow remains New Delhi’s closest strategic partner, and its role as Kabul’s primary defence ally reduces the Taliban’s dependence on Chinese financing or Pakistani military support.

This alignment prevents Islamabad from weaponizing Afghan soil against India and forces Pakistan to divert resources to its western frontier. For India, the outcome is a major strategic gain: Pakistan’s grip on Afghanistan has collapsed, while India has quietly secured influence in its neighbour’s backyard through diplomacy and economic engagement.

This historical U-turn underscores how geopolitical tectonic plates are shifting in South Asia. Old animosities have given way to unexpected alliances, leaving Pakistan isolated and strategically weakened.

India, meanwhile, finds itself in a stronger position, consolidating its footprint in Central Asia and watching its primary adversary lose leverage in a region once considered its sphere of influence.

Agencies

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