Pakistan has initiated a series of air strikes targeting militant positions in Afghanistan, prompting a strong reaction from the Afghan government, which reports that children were among the casualties. The operations, which took place overnight, mark the most extensive military action along the border since deadly clashes in October resulted in the deaths of over 70 individuals and left hundreds injured.
Islamabad announced it had targeted seven locations in the border region, aiming at militant groups based in Afghanistan. This move follows a recent wave of suicide bombings in Pakistan, which the Pakistani military attributes to these groups. The strikes specifically focused on the Pakistani Taliban, its affiliates, and an offshoot of the Islamic State, as detailed in a statement from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
In response, Afghanistan reported that the air strikes affected its Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, with local officials indicating that dozens, including women and children, were killed or injured. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Afghan government, criticized the strikes, asserting that Pakistani military leaders were attempting to compensate for their own security failures through these actions.
An eyewitness in Nangarhar’s Bihsud district reported that rescue efforts were underway with a bulldozer being used to search for victims trapped under the debris from the targeted strikes. Among the fatalities, an Afghan security source reported that 17 individuals, including 12 children and teenagers, lost their lives when a home was struck.
The deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. Following the Taliban’s takeover, the two nations have experienced a series of violent encounters along their border, with the situation worsened by the October clashes.
Pakistan contends that despite numerous appeals for action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory, the Taliban has made insufficient efforts to curb their activities. The strikes were justified by the recent suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad two weeks ago, claimed by the Islamic State. This attack was particularly devastating, resulting in at least 40 deaths and over 160 injuries, marking it as the deadliest incident in Islamabad since 2008.
While a ceasefire facilitated by Qatar and Turkey temporarily halted the violence in October, subsequent peace negotiations in Doha and Istanbul have not yielded a sustainable resolution. The core of the ongoing conflict remains centered on security concerns, as Islamabad continues to accuse Kabul of harboring militant factions, notably the Pakistani Taliban, which are believed to launch attacks into Pakistan. The Afghan government has consistently refuted these charges, further complicating the relationship between the two nations.
