Pakistan's recent airstrikes on Kabul have reportedly alarmed the Taliban leadership and created what security sources describe as a“new deterrence.” According to The Express Tribune, the strikes marked a major shift in Islamabad's counterterrorism strategy and signaled its readiness to act beyond the Durand Line.

The action was intended to curb the rising wave of terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. Officials quoted in the report say that targeting the Afghanistan capital was meant to send an unmistakable message to the Taliban: Pakistan will not limit its operations to border regions and will target groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) even inside Kabul if necessary.

The airstrikes took place on October 15 and were the first attacks by Pakistan on Kabul in history. Analysts described the strikes as Pakistan's most assertive move against the Taliban administration since it retook power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Sources told the newspaper that after the strikes, fear and caution became visible among Taliban leaders. For example, following the suicide blast outside Islamabad's Judicial Complex, the Taliban quickly announced that they had no role in it, something officials interpret as fear of retaliation by Pakistan.

Islamabad appears unconcerned about possible diplomatic backlash. The report states that Pakistan believes the global environment is now more favorable for decisive action, as international dissatisfaction with the Taliban's rule continues to grow.

MENAFN24112025000228011069ID1110391365