Taliban Accuse Pakistan of Kabul Explosions Amid Diplomatic Outreach to India
Blasts in Kabul escalate tensions with Pakistan while Taliban foreign minister visits India to strengthen ties.
Explosions rocked Kabul on October 9, 2025, stirring fresh tensions between the Taliban administration and Pakistan. The Taliban government accused Pakistan of orchestrating the blasts, including one in Kabul’s eastern sector and another in Paktika province, condemning the attacks as violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesperson, confirmed the explosion in Kabul but minimized panic, stating investigations were underway and no casualties had been reported initially. The Afghan Ministry of Defence explicitly held Pakistan responsible for the attacks, though details remain scarce.
The incident comes amid escalating hostility between the two neighbours, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban of harboring the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), blamed for increased violence on Pakistani soil. Pakistan’s military has conducted cross-border strikes targeting TTP hideouts inside Afghanistan, further straining relations. Coinciding with the blasts, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was visiting India to strengthen diplomatic ties, marking an important pivot in Taliban foreign relations. Muttaqi condemned the attacks and called for peaceful resolution through dialogue, emphasizing Afghanistan’s desire for good relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan and India.
Pakistan has neither confirmed nor denied carrying out the Kabul explosions but reiterated its commitment to combating militants using Afghan territory as a base. Analysts warn that such strikes could backfire, potentially fuelling support for the TTP and complicating regional security.
As the situation unfolds, concerns mount about the fragile balance in South Asia, with the Taliban striving to gain diplomatic recognition while managing internal security challenges and external pressures. The latest developments underline the complex dynamics in Afghanistan’s relations with Pakistan and India as they navigate shifting alliances and ongoing conflict.
