The bombings may have been carried out by Iran or by Afghan pilots who travelled to bordering countries such as Uzbekistan and Tajikistan during the Taliban advance last August

Unidentified aircraft strike Taliban positions in Panjshir

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Following the Taliban's announcement of the conquest of Panjshir, several media reports have pointed to the possible involvement of other actors in the fighting in the region. Initially, several reports pointed to Pakistan, which reportedly sent more than 20 helicopters and special units to Panjshir to fight the National Resistance Front (NRF). Subsequently, Iranian and Afghan media claimed that some Taliban positions were attacked by unidentified aircraft.

The Persian website Saham News suggests that Iranian drones could be behind the bombings against the Taliban in the Afghan province. Iran condemned 'foreign interference' in Afghanistan, referring to Islamabad's actions in Panjshir. It also criticised the Taliban offensive on the Afghan resistance. Relations between Tehran and the Taliban have been strained by the movement's persecution of Shi'ites. Since the insurgents seized power in mid-August, Shia minorities such as the Hazaras have reported threats and killings. 

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However, Saham News does not rule out "the possibility that the planes that attacked the Taliban were American"

The NRF claimed that the bombings were carried out by Afghan air force pilots who had previously travelled to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. During the Taliban offensive in August, dozens of Afghan military personnel crossed the borders into these countries following insurgent victories in the border areas.

On 16 August, for example, up to 100 Afghan soldiers landed in Tajikistan after the Tajik authorities allowed their entry. On the other hand, before the fall of Kabul, nearly 600 military personnel flew to Uzbekistan aboard 22 military aircraft and 24 helicopters along with their families. A US State Department spokesman said they were all "safe" and were being accommodated by the Uzbek authorities.

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Panjshir does not surrender 

Although the Taliban have claimed victory over Panjshir, even hoisting the Emirate's white flag on the provincial governor's office, Ahmad Massoud said that "resistance continues" and called for a nationwide uprising against the Taliban. The resistance is reportedly made up of up to 10,000 fighters, including members of local militias and former Afghan army soldiers, and according to recently released photos, they are well trained.

Massoud has also lashed out at Pakistan, stating that foreign forces "have been siding with the Taliban against the Afghan people for a long time". In one of the actions carried out by Pakistan, NRF spokesman Fahim Dashti was killed after an attack on his personal car. However, the target of this operation was Massoud, who was not in the car at the time, according to the Iranian news agency Fars News. Resistance sources also claimed that some Pakistani pilots used US military aircraft acquired by the Taliban after the withdrawal of troops.

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Protests in Afghanistan against Pakistan 

Shouting "Long live the Resistance Front" and "Death to Pakistan", dozens of people have taken to the streets of different Afghan cities to denounce Pakistani interference in the country. Videos on social media show protesters in Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif or Herat marching with banners and Afghan flags and even clashing with armed Taliban. This is not the first wave of protest facing the new Afghan regime. Dozens of women have also demonstrated in recent days to demand their rights, some of them beaten by Taliban fighters. 

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The recent Pakistani intervention in Panjshir, coupled with the traditional relationship between Islamabad and the Taliban, has been seen as an "occupation" in Afghan society. Also, the recent visit of the head of the Pakistani secret service (ISI) to Kabul could be a sign of how much influence Pakistan will have on the new Afghan government and thus on the country as a whole.

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