Kabul. Afghan authorities announced that at least three civilians lost their lives and several others were wounded after aerial strikes, while Pakistan asserted the missions were aimed at suspected militant hideouts. Independent verification of either side’s claims is still pending.
Afghan officials said the primary attack occurred around 03:00 hrs in the Nurgal district of Kunar province, striking a residential building. The blast killed three people and injured a number of neighbours, with authorities describing the victims as non‑combatants and noting extensive damage to the structure.
Pakistan is also reported to have hit two sites in the Barmal district of neighbouring Paktika province. Afghan sources said a shop and an empty house were damaged, but no casualties were recorded there.
Pakistan says the raids hit militant hideouts
Pakistani security officials claimed the airstrikes were directed at positions linked to the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of operating from Afghan soil. According to Pakistan, the operation eliminated 28 suspected militants.
Afghan authorities, however, reported three civilian deaths in Kunar and numerous injuries, disputing Pakistan’s casualty figures. The contradictory narratives have not been independently corroborated.
Pakistan repeatedly blames the Taliban‑run government in Kabul for tolerating anti‑Pakistani militant groups, a charge the Afghan side rejects, insisting that Afghanistan does not permit its territory to be used for attacks against other nations.
Strikes follow deadly attacks on Pakistani forces
The air raids came shortly after a series of lethal assaults on Pakistani security personnel in the north‑west. A major assault on a police compound in Kohat left at least 21 dead and more than 100 injured, while an attack in Hangu the next day killed six security staff.
Pakistani officials linked the wave of violence to militant groups they say are based across the Afghan border, though no organization immediately claimed responsibility for the Kohat bombing. Suspicion has largely fallen on the TTP.
In response, Islamabad warned it could target militant positions inside Afghanistan and urged Kabul to take “credible and verifiable” steps against groups accused of striking Pakistani soil.
Kabul condemns the airstrikes
The Taliban‑led Afghan government denounced the strikes as a breach of sovereignty and warned of a possible response. Spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid called the attacks “unacceptable” and emphasized that the reported victims were civilians.
Afghan officials also challenged Pakistan’s version of events, rejecting the claim that the targets were militant hideouts. They reiterated that Afghanistan does not allow its territory to serve as a launchpad for attacks against neighboring states.
TTP remains a core point of dispute
The Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan continues to be a major bone of contention. Islamabad views the group as a grave security threat and accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering its fighters or turning a blind eye to its operations from Afghan soil.
Kabul, for its part, denies any such support, insisting that any militant activity against Pakistan is conducted without Afghan consent. While the Afghan Taliban and TTP are distinct entities, their shared ideology and history fuel Islamabad’s accusations, further souring bilateral ties.
Border friction adds another layer
The latest strikes occur against a backdrop of long‑standing disagreements along the Afghanistan‑Pakistan frontier. Both capitals have previously exchanged fire and traded accusations of border violations.
The Durand Line remains a point of contention: Afghanistan disputes Pakistan’s claim to the demarcation, whereas Islamabad treats it as the internationally recognised border.
Recent military moves therefore compound an already fragile relationship, raising the risk of further escalation at a moment when regional actors are urging dialogue.
Regional powers keep diplomatic channels open
Countries such as China, Qatar and Turkey have been active in mediating between Islamabad and Kabul, seeking to defuse tensions and promote stability in the region.
Despite repeated flare‑ups, diplomatic engagement remains crucial. Afghan officials stress that security discussions and confidence‑building measures are essential to resolve the underlying disputes.
Nevertheless, the fresh airstrikes have revived worries about a new round of cross‑border hostilities, especially after earlier clashes this year that already strained the relationship.
Earlier clashes had already soured ties
Relations between the two neighbours deteriorated sharply in the past twelve months, highlighted by a series of serious military confrontations in February when Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan and Kabul responded in kind.
Although a temporary lull followed, the core issues—militant sanctuaries and sovereignty concerns—remained unresolved, and the recent strikes underscore how persistent these frictions are.
For Pakistan, the priority is curbing attacks it attributes to groups operating from Afghan territory. For Afghanistan, the focus is defending its sovereignty and preventing foreign military actions on its soil.
The situation stays volatile
The Monday airstrikes have thrust the dispute back into the spotlight after a brief period of relative calm. Afghan officials report civilian casualties, while Pakistani authorities frame the operation as a legitimate strike against suspected militants.
The divergent narratives highlight the broader disagreement: Islamabad demands decisive action against the TTP and similar groups, whereas Kabul rejects any allegation that it provides safe haven to militants targeting Pakistan.
The immediate question now is whether these strikes will spark further exchanges along the border or if diplomatic initiatives can avert a renewed escalation.
At present, tension remains high in the eastern Afghan provinces adjoining Pakistan, and future developments will hinge on the responses of Kabul, Islamabad and the armed factions involved.
