After Operation Sindoor Setback, Munir Turned To Afghanistan War To Project Success: Pakistan Taliban

Last Updated:April 26, 2026, 23:02 IST

Pakistan Taliban has been at war with the Pakistani state and army since the past decade.

A magazine published by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has sharply criticised Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir, accusing him of pursuing personal ambition and mishandling regional conflicts, according to sources speaking to CNN-News18.

In its publication Mujallah Taliban (Issue 11), the TTP alleged that Munir initiated military escalation with Afghanistan to bolster his image after being elevated to the rank of Field Marshal. The magazine portrayed him as a “stubborn" and “self-centred" leader focused on consolidating power, even at the cost of instability in the region.

Pakistan and Afghanistan, once allies, are now locked in a violent confrontation, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harbouring militants responsible for cross-border attacks — a claim the Taliban government denies.

Tensions escalated sharply in late February, when Pakistani airstrikes were followed by an Afghan ground response, prompting Islamabad to declare an “open war".

On March 16, a Pakistani strike on a hospital in Kabul reportedly killed hundreds of civilians, triggering international condemnation.

The publication claimed that Munir chose Afghanistan as a relatively weaker front after what it described as a failed confrontation with India in May 2025, where global opinion was seen to favour New Delhi. It alleged that the move was aimed at projecting military success and strengthening his domestic standing.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The Indian armed forces struck multiple terror launchpads linked to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, significantly damaging their operational capabilities.

The operation triggered retaliatory actions from Pakistan, including drone attacks and cross-border shelling, leading to a brief four-day military escalation. Indian forces responded with precision strikes, reportedly targeting key radar installations in Lahore and areas near Gujranwala.

Following the escalation, both countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10

The TTP also accused the Pakistani military leadership of continuing a long-standing pattern of alignment with the United States, suggesting that recent actions, including airstrikes in Afghan cities in February 2026, were aimed at addressing US concerns rather than countering militant threats.

It further alleged that Munir has sought to tighten his grip over Pakistan through aggressive military decisions and political consolidation following Operation Sindoor, during which Indian forces reportedly struck multiple targets, catching Pakistani defences off guard.

The magazine also criticised Munir’s rhetoric, linking it to rising tensions in the region and alleging that it contributed to instability ahead of recent terror incidents.

News world After Operation Sindoor Setback, Munir Turned To Afghanistan War To Project Success: Pakistan Taliban

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