Kabul: A few days ago, Pakistan launched airstrikes in Afghanistan, killing 40 people. After that, the Taliban warned that it would not be in anyone’s interest if a war gets sparked. Senior leaders and Commanders of the Taliban threatened that Pakistan would have to pay the price for this attack. But the Pakistan supporter Haqqani group of Taliban has taken a stand that this issue should be resolved through negotiations with Pakistan. Therefore, it is apparent that the dispute over the Pakistan issue among the Taliban groups is increasing.
Last week, on the 16th of April, the Pakistan air force launched airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Khost provinces. Pakistan claimed that the terrorist organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban responsible for carrying out attacks in Pakistan across the Durand Line, had bases there. But the dead included Afghan women and children. The Pakistan action was criticised on the international level.
Moreover, Taliban has taken a serious note of this. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid had warned that Pakistan would be made to answer for this. At the same time, warning that a war could be sparked between the two countries, Mujahid pointed out the consequences to Pakistan. 
Following the airstrike, the Afghan population held strong protests against the Pakistani action last week. Demand for teaching a lesson to Pakistan was made during the protests.
In this scenario, a special meeting of senior Taliban leaders was held. Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Ghani Biradar, Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, Deputy Defence Minister Mullah Fazal and military chief Fasihuddin Fitrat demanded a strong retaliation against Pakistan. But Chief of the Haqqani network and Internal Security Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and Education Minister Abdul Baki Haqqani opposed any action against Pakistan. Sirajuddin Haqqani proposed to hold talks with Pakistan to resolve the issue.
The other Taliban leaders criticised the stand adopted by the leaders from the Haqqani network, which is a puppet in the hands of the ISI, the notorious Pakistani intelligence agency. Even in the past, the Haqqani network had protested against the Taliban commanders attacking Pakistani soldiers on the Durand Line. Therefore, reports show that differences are developing in the Taliban leadership over the Pakistan issue.
Meanwhile, US media have already expressed concerns that differences in the Taliban will destabilise Afghanistan. There are indications that these concerns are becoming a reality given the differences developing over the Pakistan issue.
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