Pakistan’s president says Afghan Taliban crossed a ‘red line’
Pakistan’s president on Saturday issued a warning to the Afghan Taliban government over drone attacks.
President Asif Ali Zardari said the Afghan Taliban had “crossed a red line” by launching drone attacks on Pakistani territory.
“Pakistan will not tolerate the targeting of its civilians,” the president said.
The Afghan Taliban launched drone attacks on Friday that the Pakistani military described as “rudimentary.”
These attacks mark an escalation of the conflict, which had recently been largely limited to border clashes.
The ISPR, the media arm of the Pakistani military, said the drones were intercepted and did not hit their targets. At least four people, including children, were injured by falling debris.
The army said its ongoing operations would continue until “the Afghan Taliban addresses Pakistan’s primary concern regarding terrorism originating from Afghan soil.”
Fighting between the now neighbors began at the end of February. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of harboring militants who carry out attacks in Pakistan – a charge Kabul denies.
Several rounds of negotiations carried out under the aegis of Qatar, Turkey and China, aimed at easing tensions, have so far not led to any progress.
This week, the first mediation efforts began, with talks with China’s special envoy for Afghanistan in both capitals.
