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Afghan Taliban Forces Target 'Several Points' in Pakistan in Retaliation for Airstrikes

Taliban security personnel stand guard at the site two days after air strikes by Pakistan in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province on December 26, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad SAHEL ARMAN / AFP)
Taliban security personnel stand guard at the site two days after air strikes by Pakistan in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province on December 26, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad SAHEL ARMAN / AFP)
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Afghan Taliban Forces Target 'Several Points' in Pakistan in Retaliation for Airstrikes

Taliban security personnel stand guard at the site two days after air strikes by Pakistan in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province on December 26, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad SAHEL ARMAN / AFP)
Taliban security personnel stand guard at the site two days after air strikes by Pakistan in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province on December 26, 2024. (Photo by Ahmad SAHEL ARMAN / AFP)

Afghan Taliban forces targeted "several points" in neighboring Pakistan, Afghanistan's defense ministry said on Saturday, days after Pakistani aircraft carried out aerial bombardment inside Afghanistan.
The statement from the Defense Ministry did not specify Pakistan but said the strikes were conducted "beyond the 'hypothetical line'" - an expression used by Afghan authorities to refer to a border with Pakistan that they have long disputed.
"Several points beyond the hypothetical line, serving as centers and hideouts for malicious elements and their supporters who organized and coordinated attacks in Afghanistan, were targeted in retaliation from the southeastern direction of the country," the ministry said.
Asked whether the statement referred to Pakistan, ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khowarazmi said: "We do not consider it to be the territory of Pakistan, therefore, we cannot confirm the territory, but it was on the other side of the hypothetical line."
Afghanistan has for decades rejected the border, known as the Durand Line, drawn by British colonial authorities in the 19th century through the mountainous and often lawless tribal belt between what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan.
No details of casualties or specific areas targeted were provided. The Pakistani military's public relations wing and a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Afghan authorities warned on Wednesday they would retaliate after the Pakistani bombardment, which they said had killed civilians. Islamabad said it had targeted hideouts of militants along the border.
The neighbors have a strained relationship, with Pakistan saying that several militant attacks that have occurred in its country have been launched from Afghan soil - a charge the Afghan Taliban denies.

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Taiwan President Vows to Boost the Island’s Defense Budget as China Threats Rise

This is handout photo taken and released on January 1, 2025 by the Taiwan Presidential Office shows Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te giving his New Year's address at the Presidential Office in Taipei. (Handout / Taiwan Presidential Office / AFP)
This is handout photo taken and released on January 1, 2025 by the Taiwan Presidential Office shows Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te giving his New Year's address at the Presidential Office in Taipei. (Handout / Taiwan Presidential Office / AFP)
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Taiwan President Vows to Boost the Island’s Defense Budget as China Threats Rise

This is handout photo taken and released on January 1, 2025 by the Taiwan Presidential Office shows Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te giving his New Year's address at the Presidential Office in Taipei. (Handout / Taiwan Presidential Office / AFP)
This is handout photo taken and released on January 1, 2025 by the Taiwan Presidential Office shows Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te giving his New Year's address at the Presidential Office in Taipei. (Handout / Taiwan Presidential Office / AFP)

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te pledged to strengthen the island's defenses in the face of escalating Chinese threats, saying in a New Year’s address on Wednesday that Taiwan was a crucial part of the "line of defense of democracy" globally.

China claims Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy, is part of its territory and has vowed to annex the island by force if necessary.

"Authoritarian countries such as China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are still collaborating to threaten the international order that is based on rules. This has severely influenced the Indo-Pacific region and the world’s peace and stability," Lai said in his address.

Beijing has used a variety of tactics in recent years to increase pressure on Taiwan, from sending warships and fighter jets toward the island on a near-daily basis to pressuring Taiwan's diplomatic allies to switch their recognition to China.

In response, Taiwan has been reforming its military and buying weapons from the United States, its biggest unofficial ally.

"Taiwan must be prepared for danger in times of peace. It must keep increasing the national defense budget to strengthen its defense capabilities in order to show the determination to defend the country. Every single person has the duty to protect Taiwan’s democracy and security," Lai said.

Lai also issued a warning about the need to uphold democracy domestically, addressing recent political controversies in Taiwan.

The Kuomingtang-led opposition passed three bills last month after legislators got into a physical tussle over them. The bills are designed to make recall votes for politicians more difficult and change the budget allocation for the central government. Critics said another of the bills would paralyze the Constitutional Court.

Lai's party has said the bills, which still need to be accepted by the executive branch, are a threat to democracy.

"Domestic competition among political parties is a part of democracy. But domestic political disputes must be resolved democratically, within the constitutional system. This is the only way democracy can continue to grow," Lai said.