Taliban Official Says 20 Pakistani Nationals Killed In Counterterrorism Operations In 2023

In a recent press conference, Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Taliban's defence minister, revealed significant successes in counterterrorism operations, with security forces targeting and eliminating a number of Tajik and Pakistani nationals involved in attacks against religious figures, the public and mosques.

As reported by Indian Express, Mujahid reported that dozens of Tajiks and over 20 Pakistanis were killed, while scores of Tajiks and hundreds of Pakistanis associated with various incidents were apprehended in the past 12 months.

Earlier, tensions between Kabul and Islamabad escalated as hundreds of thousands of Afghans left Pakistan, responding to authorities' crackdown on foreigners deemed to be in the country illegally.

Meanwhile, Mujahid urged neighbouring and regional countries to enhance border monitoring for security purposes.

Also, Mujahid highlighted a remarkable 90 per cent reduction in attacks by an Islamic State group.

The IS group remains a significant rival to the Taliban since the latter took over power in August 2021.

As tensions rise and regional dynamics evolve, the delicate relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan takes centre stage, impacting the geopolitical landscape in the region.