Pakistan Afghanistan strikes have further strained relations between the two neighbouring countries, with Islamabad saying at least 22 terrorists were killed in attacks targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts. Afghanistan’s Taliban government, however, said the strikes killed nine Afghan civilians, including women and children, and injured 11 others.
Pakistan’s information ministry said its security forces carried out “well-planned and calibrated aerial strikes” against TTP hideouts and alleged safe havens at two locations in Afghanistan. According to the statement, the targets were selected using intelligence and struck with what Pakistan described as precision.
The ministry said weapons and ammunition stored at the sites were also destroyed. It maintained that precautions were taken to prevent civilian casualties and said the operation was part of Pakistan’s wider counter-terrorism campaign, Ghazab lil Haq.
Taliban disputes Pakistan’s account
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid gave a different account of the strikes. He said nine Afghan civilians were killed, 11 people were injured and three homes were destroyed.
According to Mujahid, the strikes took place in Chugam in Shultan district of Kunar province and Safar in Garmser district of Helmand province. He condemned the action as aggression and a violation of accepted principles.
The conflicting accounts could not be independently reconciled from the information provided.
Tensions over TTP continue
The strikes come amid longstanding tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over militant activity along their shared border. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban administration of allowing TTP and affiliated groups to operate from Afghan territory and plan attacks inside Pakistan.
The Taliban government has rejected those accusations.
Pakistan has said protecting its citizens remains its foremost priority and described the latest strikes as part of efforts to eliminate militant threats. Afghanistan, meanwhile, has condemned the military action and disputed Pakistan’s account of the targets.
The latest escalation adds another complication to relations between the two countries, with accusations over militant sanctuaries, cross-border attacks and military operations continuing to dominate their ties.
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