Pakistani airstrikes reported in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan

Yesterday 09:30

By: Sahili Aya

Pakistani airstrikes reported in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan

Pakistani forces have reportedly carried out airstrikes in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan, targeting what Islamabad described as militant hideouts along the border, according to officials and regional media reports.

Local outlets in Afghanistan said the strikes took place in parts of Nangarhar Province, including the districts of Khogyani, Ghani Khel and Behsud, as well as in Paktika Province, notably in Barmal and Urgun districts. Some reports alleged that residential areas were affected, though there has been no independent confirmation of the extent of the damage.

As of Sunday, authorities in Kabul had not officially confirmed details of the incidents or reported casualty figures.

In a statement shared online, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the operations were conducted as a “retributive response” following recent suicide bombings inside Pakistan. The ministry stated that the strikes were intelligence-based and targeted camps allegedly linked to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and the Islamic State Khorasan Province, commonly known as ISKP.

Islamabad emphasized that it expects the Afghan interim government to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan. Officials reiterated that the country would respond to cross-border threats, particularly after the killing of two security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a day earlier.

Cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have periodically escalated in recent years, particularly over allegations that militant groups operate along the porous frontier. While both governments have publicly expressed a desire for stability, security incidents continue to strain relations.

No verified information has yet been released regarding possible casualties or the humanitarian impact of the reported airstrikes.