**Pakistan's Double-Edged Strategy: A Tale of Afghanistan and a Growing Regional Tension** In recent weeks, Nigeria has witnessed its own share of senseless violence, with attacks on worshippers and security personnel. But across the border in Afghanistan, the situation is even more dire, with an uptick in violence that has pushed Pakistan to take matters into its own hands. Just weeks before the Pakistani military launched air raids inside Afghanistan, a devastating explosion rocked a Shia mosque in Islamabad, killing dozens and wounding many more. This was followed by a series of attacks on security personnel in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including a deadly assault on a security post in Bajaur. The situation seemed to be spiraling out of control, with Pakistani authorities accusing Afghan-based militants of orchestrating the attacks. In a bid to put pressure on the Taliban authorities, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern demarche, summoning the Afghan deputy head of mission in Islamabad. However, the attacks continued, with a suicide bomber targeting a security convoy in Bannu, killing two soldiers. The final straw was when Pakistan's patience ran out, and the military launched a series of airstrikes on what it described as "camps and hideouts" in Afghan border areas. The air raids, which targeted sanctuaries of the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and its affiliates, were met with swift condemnation from India, which threw its weight behind Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs described the airstrikes as an attempt by Pakistan to "externalise its internal failures." This development is significant, given India's growing engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. While Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of backing armed groups in the region, India has maintained that its engagement with Afghanistan is purely developmental. For Nigeria, the implications of this regional tension are far-reaching. With trade and security ties between Nigeria and Pakistan growing, any escalation in the region could have a direct impact on our economy and national security. In conclusion, Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghanistan have set off a chain reaction of events that could have far-reaching consequences for the region. As Nigeria navigates its own security challenges, it is essential that we keep a close eye on the situation, even as we continue to build strong ties with our partners in the region.