Pakistan’s air strike on Kabul that killed over 400: What you need to know
Here’s a look at what’s happening.
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WHERE DID THE ATTACK HAPPEN?
The Afghan Taliban government said a Pakistani airstrike targeted a drug rehabilitation hospital in the capital Kabul, killing at least 408 people and wounding 265 more.
However, Pakistan denied the claim, saying the attack targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure and was carried out carefully to ensure there was no collateral damage.
He did not confirm the number of injured.
WHY DID THE NEIGHBORS FIGHT?
The worst war in years between Pakistan and Afghanistan, where allies have turned into enemies, broke out last month with Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan that Islamabad said targeted militant strongholds. Afghanistan described the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty targeting civilians and launched retaliatory operations.
Over the past three weeks, both countries have launched air and drone strikes against each other, as well as ground fire along their 2,600 km (1,600 mi) border; each claimed, without providing evidence, that they had severely damaged and killed hundreds of opposition troops.
HOW DOES MILITANISM CHALLENGE THE RELATIONSHIP?
Islamabad has long accused the Afghan Taliban government of providing a safe haven to militants launching attacks on Pakistan from its territory.
The leadership of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militant group, known as the official name of the Pakistani Taliban, is said to be based in Afghanistan, where most of its fighters are also home to armed rebels seeking independence for the southwestern province of Balochistan.
However, the Taliban denies the allegations and says militancy in Pakistan is an internal problem of the country.
WERE MEETINGS HELD TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT?
Although a ceasefire was reached in the talks mediated by Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia following similar border clashes in October, no negotiations took place this time despite the calls of countries including Turkey and Russia to resolve the differences through diplomacy.
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The Afghan Taliban said last month it was willing to negotiate with Pakistan, but Islamabad has shown no such inclination.
China, a key ally of both Afghanistan and Pakistan, also called for “dialogue and negotiation” and said on Tuesday it would continue to play a “constructive role” to ease tensions between the countries.
