New Delhi, Feb 27 (NationPress) Pakistan has initiated an all-out offensive against the Afghan Taliban, significantly straining the fragile ceasefire mediated by Qatar. Just hours after Afghanistan reported retaliatory strikes along the border, Pakistan's military conducted air raids on Kabul and Kandahar.

Previously, Afghanistan had executed a cross-border assault in response to strikes on Sunday.

Pakistan claimed to have eliminated 70 militants during these operations, a statement that Afghanistan dismissed, asserting that the strikes resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including women and children.

The relationship between the two nations has been tense for several months. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of providing sanctuary to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) without offering evidence. In light of the deadly border skirmishes in October 2025, Qatar intervened to broker a ceasefire between the two nations.

Pakistan was among the first to congratulate the Taliban upon their return to power following the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Islamabad, having maintained a close relationship with the Taliban, anticipated that these ties would remain intact. However, analysts suggest that Pakistan misinterpreted the evolving dynamics.

For Pakistan, friendly relations equate to controlling the Taliban. Conversely, Afghanistan resents foreign interference in its domestic and foreign affairs. Following the Taliban's takeover, Pakistan has displayed a big-brother attitude, attempting to dictate Afghanistan's actions. An official noted that there are numerous unresolved issues between the Taliban and Pakistan.

Instead of tackling these issues head-on, Pakistan has shifted blame towards India, accusing it of supporting the Taliban against Islamabad. New Delhi has dismissed these allegations, asserting that Pakistan has a tendency to externalize its domestic challenges.

Initially, Pakistan accused the Taliban of harboring the TTP and allowing it to launch attacks from Afghan territory. In recent months, tensions along the border have escalated, with The Durand Line experiencing frequent incidents such as suicide bombings, airstrikes, and ground confrontations.

The Taliban has countered by accusing Pakistan of attempting to sabotage its relationships with neighboring countries. Observers noted that it was predictable for Pakistan to justify its attacks in Afghanistan by referencing the Taliban's ties with India.

Pakistan has alleged that the Taliban is effectively allied with India. Furthermore, it has propagated unfounded claims that the TTP operates from Afghan soil, suggesting Indian backing for the group. Both the Taliban and India have categorically denied these accusations.

Experts indicate that there is significant concern in Pakistan regarding the burgeoning relationship between New Delhi and Kabul. Islamabad is particularly wary of India's expanding influence in Afghanistan.

India was the first to provide assistance to Afghanistan following a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in the region, delivering 15 tonnes of food supplies to the Balkh and Samangan areas, alongside medical aid.

Additionally, Afghanistan's foreign minister visited India last year, leading to an agreement for New Delhi to reopen its embassy in Kabul.

Pakistan appears distressed by the loss of its status as Kabul's primary ally. Analysts suggest that it is unsurprising that Pakistan has entwined India into its conflict with Afghanistan, as India-Afghan relations pose a significant irritant for Islamabad.

Another motivation for implicating India is to rally domestic support. Pakistan is tasked with justifying its military actions to a populace whose faith in the government is dwindling.

The conflict in Afghanistan serves as a distraction, but it requires a robust justification, and what better way to do so than to blame India for Pakistan's current predicaments, experts argue.