Taliban Warns Pakistan Against Cross-Border Strikes Following Deadly Kohat Police Complex Massacre After an assault on an Old Police Lines compound in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa left at least 31 dead, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid cautioned Islamabad that any violation of Afghan sovereignty will face direct retaliation. Diplomatic and military tensions between neighboring nations have sharply escalated following a catastrophic militant strike on an Old Police Lines facility in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the immediate aftermath of the bloodshed, the Taliban issued an explicit warning to Islamabad against initiating unauthorized cross-border military strikes into Afghan territory under the guise of counter-terrorism operations. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid declared that Afghan forces remain fully prepared to defend their land and sovereignty if Pakistani forces cross the frontier. Objections Raised Over Article 51 Defense Justifications Speaking in an interview with Al Arabiya, Zabihullah Mujahid stated that should Pakistan invoke Article 51 of the United Nations Charter to conduct cross-border military maneuvers inside Afghanistan, Kabul retains every right to defend itself. Mujahid emphasized that Afghanistan will not tolerate breaches of its territorial integrity and that any military incursion would be met with direct retaliation. The remarks address persistent speculation that Pakistani authorities might consider unilateral cross-border strikes against militant havens, establishing that Kabul would treat such incursions as an act of war. Devastating Toll at the Kohat Police Complex The fiery exchange follows a major assault launched on Friday against the Old Police Lines complex in Kohat. The sprawling compound serves as a critical security installation, housing the district police headquarters alongside key offices of the Counter Terrorism Department and the Special Branch. Militants breached the compound, causing widespread devastation. The confirmed casualty count stands at no fewer than 31 dead, a figure that includes 16 police officers, while more than 100 individuals suffered injuries. In the wake of the initial attack, armed assailants barricaded themselves inside the Special Branch section, triggering protracted gun battles with security forces. Escalating Friction Over TTP Sanctuaries Islamabad has maintained that members of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, widely known as the TTP, maintain safe havens across the Afghan border, utilizing foreign soil to coordinate deadly operations inside Pakistan. Pakistani officials have repeatedly asserted that the Taliban government has either failed to rein in these armed groups or is actively permitting them to operate with impunity. The Taliban has vigorously rejected these claims. Countering Islamabad's narrative, Mujahid argued that Pakistan must resolve its own domestic security challenges independently, noting that unrest involving the TTP and Baloch separatist groups existed long before the Taliban assumed power in Kabul. What this means for you Escalating hostilities between Islamabad and Kabul threaten to disrupt regional border management, commercial transit, and domestic security. • Border Trade Disruption: Rising tensions could trigger temporary closures at key crossings like Torkham and Chaman. This would interrupt commercial freight transport and disrupt cross-border supply chains for essential commodities. • Heightened Security Measures: Law enforcement units across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have elevated their operational readiness. Stricter checkpoints and heightened surveillance protocols are being enforced around administrative buildings and public transit centers. • Diplomatic Strain: Direct threats of military action risk shutting down functional communication channels between the neighboring administrations. This substantially elevates the probability of localized artillery exchanges along the frontier. • Cross-Border Movement: Civilians and refugees traveling across official entry gates may encounter extensive screening protocols. Heightened scrutiny could delay clearance processes and restrict regular cross-border family and commercial visits. Why this happened The confrontation ignited following a lethal attack on a police compound in Kohat and renewed claims by Pakistan regarding cross-border militant bases. • The Kohat Assault: A coordinated militant attack on the Old Police Lines compound in Kohat killed at least 31 people, including 16 police officers, prompting calls within Pakistan for retaliatory action. • Safe Haven Allegations: Islamabad contends that TTP fighters orchestrate terrorist assaults inside Pakistan while sheltering across the Afghan border. Pakistani officials argue that the Taliban has neglected its responsibility to control these militant networks. • Sovereignty and Counterarguments: The Taliban firmly dismissed the safe-haven allegations, warning that any unilateral military operation violates its sovereignty. Mujahid stated that internal instability involving the TTP and Baloch factions predates the Taliban administration and must be handled domestically by Pakistan. Questions & Answers 1. Where and when did the militant attack take place? The attack occurred on Friday at the Old Police Lines complex located in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 2. What is the casualty toll from the Kohat attack? At least 31 people were killed, including 16 police personnel, and more than 100 others were injured in the assault. 3. What warning did Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid issue? He warned that if Pakistan invokes Article 51 to conduct military action inside Afghanistan, Afghan forces will retaliate to defend their sovereignty. 4. Which militant group does Pakistan accuse Afghanistan of harboring? Pakistan alleges that members of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) reside across the Afghan border and plan attacks from Afghan soil. 5. How did the Taliban respond to Pakistan's safe-haven allegations? The Taliban denied the claims, stating that unrest involving the TTP and Baloch groups predates the Taliban government and that Pakistan must resolve its security issues internally. https://trendkia.com/en/pakistan/kohat-men-pulisa-laina-para-bhishana-khunakharabe-ke-bada-taliban-ne-pakistan-ko-di-sima-para-karravai-na-karane-ki-sakhta-chetava-33562 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.