Key facts
- Pakistan conducted airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, killing 36 civilians and wounding 163.
- The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for border strikes into Pakistan.
- Pakistan's military shot down four drones and warned of retaliation.
- Pakistan stated its operations targeted militant hideouts blamed for a recent attack in Karachi.
- Afghan authorities denied harbouring militants and condemned the Pakistani strikes.
Pakistan conducted airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, killing 36 civilians and wounding 163, according to Afghan officials, escalating tensions between the two nations. Pakistan's information minister, Attaullah Tarar, stated the operations targeted militant hideouts and safe havens of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Fitna al-Khawarij, groups blamed for a recent deadly attack in Karachi.
Afghanistan's defense ministry claimed its forces launched airstrikes into Pakistani territory, targeting an ISIS center in Saranan, Balochistan province, and elsewhere in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Pakistan's military reported intercepting and shooting down four rudimentary drones in Balochistan, stating they were spotted near a government school in Saranan and injured two people.
Afghan authorities have repeatedly denied harbouring militants and condemned the Pakistani strikes as a "cowardly act of aggression." The conflict has intensified since the Taliban government took power in 2021, with hundreds killed this year despite mediation efforts. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harbouring militants, while the Afghan Taliban states militancy is Pakistan's internal problem. Previous Pakistani airstrikes in June killed 13 people, according to Afghan officials, and Afghan authorities claim Pakistani operations have caused a heavy civilian death toll.