### Taliban FM Muttaqi's Fiery Warning to Pakistan from New Delhi: "Ask Soviet, US, NATO—Don't Test Afghan Courage"
On October 10, 2025, amid escalating border tensions, Afghanistan's Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi delivered a pointed rebuke to Pakistan during a press briefing in New Delhi, invoking the failed invasions of superpowers as a cautionary tale. Speaking just hours after explosions rocked Kabul—blamed squarely on Pakistani airstrikes—Muttaqi dared Islamabad not to "play games" with Afghanistan, urging it to consult the Soviet Union, United States, and NATO on the perils of such aggression. The remarks, made from Indian soil during his historic six-day visit (October 9-16), underscore Kabul's pivot toward New Delhi while signaling a hardening stance against its western neighbor.
#### The Kabul Explosions: Pakistan's "Provocative" Strike
Late on October 9, two powerful blasts echoed through Kabul's Abdul Haq Square area, followed by gunfire and reports of a fighter jet overhead. A second explosion hit the eastern province of Paktika near the border. Afghanistan's Defence Ministry swiftly accused Pakistan of violating its airspace with airstrikes targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts, including a safehouse linked to TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud and al-Qaeda affiliates. No casualties were reported, but Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid initially called the Kabul blast an "accident" under investigation before the ministry's firm condemnation.
Pakistan's military, via spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed operations against militants but dodged specifics on Kabul, stating only that forces killed 30 TTP fighters in retaliation for an October 7 attack in Orakzai district that claimed 11 Pakistani soldiers' lives. Islamabad has long accused the Taliban of sheltering TTP operatives—claims Kabul denies—amid a surge in cross-border violence since the Taliban's 2021 takeover. The strikes mark a rare direct hit on Kabul proper, escalating from drone incursions and artillery duels.
#### Muttaqi's Dare: A History Lesson from India
Addressing a select group of Indian journalists post-meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Muttaqi minced no words: "I think it’s a wrong step by the Pakistan government. Such issues cannot be resolved by strength... If someone dares to commit such acts, they should first talk to Britain, the USSR, and America—they’ll tell them it’s not good to play such games with Afghanistan." He added a stern coda: "Don't test our courage," emphasizing that Afghanistan seeks dialogue but reserves the right to defend its sovereignty.
The reference to historical invaders—Britain's 19th-century Anglo-Afghan Wars, the Soviet invasion (1979-1989), and the US-NATO occupation (2001-2021)—frames Pakistan's actions as futile folly. Muttaqi reiterated Kabul's openness to talks: "We have kept the door to discussion open. They should solve their problem on their own. Afghanistan has peace and progress after 40 years." Yet, he condemned the strikes as an "unprecedented, violent, and provocative act," vowing consequences.
#### A Diplomatic Coup for India-Taliban Ties
Muttaqi's visit—the first high-level Taliban delegation to India since 2021—coincides suspiciously with the strikes, fueling speculation that Pakistan aimed to disrupt New Delhi's Afghan outreach. India, which shuttered its Kabul embassy post-Taliban takeover, announced its reopening and upgraded the technical mission to full embassy status. Jaishankar hailed the "enduring friendship," announcing aid like 20 ambulances, MRI/CT machines, vaccines, cancer drugs, and UN-backed de-addiction support. He handed over five ambulances symbolically and stressed counter-terrorism: "We must coordinate efforts to combat terrorism... We appreciate your sensitivity towards India’s security concerns."
Muttaqi reciprocated, assuring: "Afghanistan will not allow its territory to be used against any country," a veiled nod to India's worries over groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed. He called India a "close friend" and pledged diplomats to New Delhi, while eyeing trade and business ties. Analysts like Brahma Chellaney dubbed it a "setback for Pakistan," highlighting Kabul's realpolitik shift amid frayed Islamabad ties.
| Key Elements | Details |
|--------------|---------|
| **Explosions** | Kabul (Abdul Haq Square) & Paktika; no casualties; targeted TTP/al-Qaeda sites. |
| **Pakistan's Stance** | Retaliation for TTP attack killing 11 soldiers; accuses Taliban of harboring militants. |
| **Taliban's Response** | "Violation of sovereignty"; warns of "consequences"; blames Pakistan outright. |
| **India's Gains** | Embassy reopening; humanitarian aid boost; mutual anti-terror assurances. |
| **Broader Risks** | Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad called it a "huge escalation"; 11 more Pakistani troops killed in clashes on Oct 10. |
#### Regional Ripples: Alarm in Islamabad, Boost for Kabul
Pakistan, historically a Taliban backer, views India's inroads warily—especially after Jaishankar labeled cross-border terror a "shared threat" for India and Afghanistan. TTP claimed the Orakzai attack, amplifying Islamabad's grievances. As relations plummet, the strikes risk a cycle of reprisals, with Taliban envoys like Muhammad Suhail Shaheen urging calm. For India, it's pragmatic engagement: humanitarian aid has flowed steadily, but formal recognition remains off the table.
Muttaqi's Delhi dare amplifies the irony—once Pakistan's proxy, the Taliban now leverages Indian platforms to check its former patron. As one X post quipped (amid sparse but buzzing chatter), "From ISI allies to Indian allies? Pakistan's Afghan plot twists harder than a Bollywood script." With bilateral talks ongoing, the coming days could test if words turn to action—or if cooler heads prevail.
