The Afghan Taliban issued a statement on October 13th, 2025, supporting protests by Pakistan's Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and accusing the Pakistani army of firing on demonstrators, according to a statement released between 1:08 PM and 2:08 PM UTC. This intervention follows ongoing clashes in Muridke, Pakistan, between TLP protestors and security forces, and escalates existing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad. The Taliban's rare public backing of the TLP protests, a group previously associated with unrest in Pakistan, marks a significant escalation in rhetoric from Kabul towards Islamabad. The statement also expressed sympathy for victims of the clashes in Pakistan. This development occurs amidst reports of Pakistani forces continuing operations against Taliban incursions and facilitating TTP Khawarij formations into Pakistan, despite multiple ceasefire requests from the Afghan Taliban. Meanwhile, a grand jirga of 80 elders from Bara has departed for Tirah Valley to hold talks with the Pakistani Taliban and its associated groups regarding their demands, which include recognition of their struggle for Sharia law in Pakistan and permission to operate freely in tribal areas as they did before the FATA merger. This initiative aims to de-escalate the situation, as elders from all five tehsils of Khyber district are involved. Earlier this morning, between 10:06 AM UTC and 10:35 AM UTC on October 13th, 2025, Taliban militants were observed transporting ancient Luna-M and Scud-B missiles, reportedly unearthed from Panjshir, to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. This activity coincides with earlier reports of bombings in Kabul and domestic unrest within Pakistan. Elements of Pakistan's Frontier Corps (FC) have also reportedly been observed operating inside Afghanistan's Kandahar province, targeting Afghan Taliban positions. In parallel, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, this morning for a Gaza peace plan signing ceremony attended by U.S. President Donald Trump. Pakistan also dispatched 100 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza today, positioning itself in international diplomatic efforts amidst its escalating border and domestic security challenges.
