What's behind recent escalation between Pakistan and Taliban?

The immediate cause of the escalation was Pakistan launching air strikes into Afghanistan's Paktika and Khost provinces, targeting what it claimed were terrorist safe havens

Digital Desk: The Taliban claimed to have fired across the border hours after Pakistan began airstrikes inside Afghanistan throughout the night.

Following the overnight raids, tensions between Islamabad and Kabul erupted on Monday. Armed elements camped out in border areas became the focus of the attack, Pakistan claims. In this attack, Eight women and children lost their lives.

What's behind the recent escalation between Pakistan and the Taliban?

The immediate cause of the escalation was Pakistan launching air strikes into Afghanistan's Paktika and Khost provinces, targeting what it claimed were terrorist safe havens. However, multiple potential motivations are causing this escalation. We can discuss a few to get an understanding of the situation.

Historical disputes over the Durand Line

Established in 1893 as a boundary between British India and the Emirate of Afghanistan, the Durand Line was never fully accepted by Afghanistan, leading to claims of it being an artificial border that divides families and tribes.

Cross-border terrorism

Both countries have accused each other of harbouring militants. Afghanistan has claimed that Pakistan provides sanctuary to rogue Taliban members, while Pakistan alleges that Afghanistan shelters militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups that launch attacks into Pakistan.

Drug trafficking

The border region is a major route for drug trafficking, particularly of opium and heroin from Afghanistan. It contributes to lawlessness on both sides of the border.

Refugee movements 

Millions of Afghan refugees have crossed into Pakistan over the years. Their presence has been a source of tension, with issues related to their rights frequently arising.

On Monday, the Afghan Defence Ministry claimed to have fired over the border at areas held by Pakistan. Islamabad has not responded to the allegation as of yet.

Al Jazeera stated sources in the Pakistani military and foreign ministry that the "retaliatory" operations were directed at the commanders' hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, because of "terrorist activities being sponsored and conducted from across the border."

With the Taliban administration taking control in 2021, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have increased. According to Islamabad, hostile armed groups regularly launch strikes from across the border.

In April 2022, Afghanistan announced that 47 people had died as a result of airstrikes by Pakistan in the country's east.

The recently formed Jaish-e-Fursan-e-Muhammad group, headed by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing two days ago. Hafiz is the leader of a Pakistani Taliban offshoot with headquarters in North Waziristan. The information confirmed by analysts is thought to be connected to Monday's strike.