Lahore: Even as the Israel-Hamas war is set to end after two years, another one is taking shape on the northwest of India’s border.
In the most serious military conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power in Kabul, dozens have been killed on both sides over the last few days. Pakistan Army admitted that at least 23 of its soldiers have lost their lives, while more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists were killed in intense fighting along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as tensions escalated between the neighbours.
Even as two main border crossings with Afghanistan, at Torkham and Chaman, and at least three minor crossings were closed on Sunday, Islamabad made a peace outreach to Kabul. However, the Taliban government snubbed the Pakistanis.
Visas of Pakistan’s Defence minister Khawaja Asif, ISI chief Asim Malik and two other Pakistani generals have been rejected.
Their visa requests have been turned down thrice over the past three days, TOLO news reported, citing sources.
US President Donald Trump, who says he’s “all about stopping wars”, and keeps claiming he has stopped eight wars in eight months, seized the opportunity to play peacemaker yet again.
En route to Israel earlier in the day, Trump offered to mediate between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“I heard there is now a war between Pakistan and Afghanistan, so I decided to wait until I return. I am also pursuing another case because I am skilled at resolving conflicts and establishing peace, and doing so is an honour for me,” Trump said.
“I am an expert at resolving wars, I am an expert at establishing peace. Doing so is a matter of honour,” the American President added.
China, on the other hand, urged restraint between the two countries, and asked them to ensure the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions.
“The two nations are both China’s friends and each other’s neighbours… It is in the fundamental and long-term interest of both Pakistan and Afghanistan to seek good-neighbourliness, pursue economic and social prosperity and jointly combat terrorism,” a Chinese spokesperson stated.
