- By: Jan Achakzai
- CT Minister for Information and Public Relations, Government of Balochistan, Pakistan. Reader, Writer, and geopolitical Analyst
- X: @Jan_Achakzai
? The loss of 17 soldiers in a single attack on October 8, 2025, marks a critical escalation, with India-Taliban proxy warfare via TTP threatening Pakistan’s status as a regional security anchor.
? Pakistan must adopt a multi-dimensional strategy to penalize the Afghan Taliban for enabling TTP, using precise military, subversive, and diplomatic measures to pressure Kabul while averting full-scale conflict.
Strategic Actions
? Targeted Airstrikes: Launch precision strikes on TTP bases in Afghanistan (e.g., Nangarhar, Paktika region) to cripple their operations, paired with robust border security and complete refugee repatriation to weaken Taliban support.
? Counter-Terrorism Collaboration: Enhance intelligence-sharing with China and Iran, deploying drones along the Durand Line to dismantle TTP networks and isolate the Taliban as terror facilitators.
? Facilitate US Bagram Access: Realigned US possible operations for Bagram Air Base through logistic corridors to target TTP, limiting Taliban autonomy while navigating regional alliances.
? Decapitate Taliban Leadership: Conduct covert operations or drone strikes to eliminate particular TTP-supporting Taliban leaders, disrupting their command and reducing TTP backing.
? Destabilize Internally: Post TTA joining hands with #RAW, Afghan Taliban are now fully aligned with Dehli to jointly encircle Pakistan. Thus this is time to reinstate General Akhtar Abdur Rahman’s “Kabul must burn” approach by covertly supporting Afghan opposition to undermine the Taliban regime.
? Economic-Diplomatic Pressure: Block Taliban trade routes, push for UN sanctions on TTP-linked leaders, and highlight Taliban complicity in regional forums to erode their legitimacy.
Some of these measures exploit Taliban weaknesses—economic fragility, ethnic divisions, and leadership reliance—to force compliance. Pakistan’s internal stability is crucial to maintain this pressure, as failure to act risks TTP entrenchment and regional destabilization.