Pakistan conducted airstrikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan early Thursday in response to alleged drone attacks carried out against Pakistan the previous day, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The airstrikes targeted areas in the southern and eastern Afghan provinces of Kandahar, Paktia, and Khost, resulting in the death of four civilians, as reported by Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
In a statement, Mujahid denounced the airstrikes as acts of aggression by the Pakistani military regime and warned of retaliatory measures. The announcement of the airstrikes was made by Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar following reports that the Afghan Taliban had unleashed drones and shelled Pakistani border posts in response to a thwarted cross-border infiltration attempt by militants.
Afghanistan refuted Pakistan’s claims of drone attacks and cautioned of potential repercussions for the airstrikes. The conflicting narratives surrounding the drone incidents emerged after Pakistani fighter jets targeted alleged militant hideouts in eastern Afghanistan. The escalating tensions jeopardize mediation efforts by China, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia aimed at fostering lasting peace between Kabul and Islamabad.
Accusations have been recurrently exchanged between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Pakistan alleging that the Afghan Taliban harbors militants launching cross-border attacks, a charge denied by Kabul. Tarar emphasized that the airstrikes were deliberate, precise, and limited to military targets associated with the attempted attacks against Pakistan.
Prior to the airstrikes, Pakistani officials disclosed that security forces had intercepted eight drones launched by the Afghan Taliban near the cities of Kohat and Torkham, leading to a subsequent exchange of mortar fire between Afghan and Pakistani forces. The officials, speaking anonymously, detailed the neutralization of the drones and the responsive actions taken by Pakistani forces.
The recent military clashes come after a series of violent incidents in the region, including a deadly shootout in Hangu that claimed the lives of six Pakistani security personnel. Pakistani authorities attributed the surge in violence to the Pakistani Taliban and allied militant factions, citing increased attacks following the Afghan Taliban’s resurgence to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The United Nations verified civilian casualties resulting from the airstrikes, with Kabul registering a formal protest against the attack. The situation remains volatile as both countries grapple with escalating hostilities amid international efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
