October 30 marked a new low as well as some sliver of hope for de-escalation in tensions. Hours before the Istanbul talks concluded, two video statements by top Afghan leaders surfaced on the social media platform X. One was a daring message to Pakistan, and the other was a plea for compassion and consideration.

The first came from none else than Sirajuddin Haqqani, Minister of Interior Affairs, Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

"On the one hand, in order to preserve its interests, one country violates the territory of another; but Afghans have proved themselves on the battlefield, and if our forbearance is tested again, our response will be very crushing," Haqqani told the participants of a training seminar organised for the staff of the General Directorate of Natural Disasters and Firefighting. (This is how the Tolo TV translated and front-paged his speech.)

Without naming Pakistan, Haqqani literally hurled a threat with a tone and tenor that is these days often associated with Donald Trump.

"Afghans have been tested on the battlefield... Although we don't have long-range missiles and powerful weapons, our determination and will are strong, and we can overcome any situation and achieve victory," he claimed in the speech released by his office.

With this, he simply resonated his ministerial spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani, who had two days earlier spoken of "teaching Pakistan a lesson that would be an example for others too." (Aryana TV). He also........

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