Key facts
- Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan killed at least nine people and injured 11 more on Thursday.
- The strikes destroyed three houses in Kunar and Helmand provinces.
- The Afghan Taliban government condemned the act as aggression and a crime.
- Pakistan's military confirmed the operation, stating it targeted militant infrastructure across the border.
- Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad conducted intelligence-based selective targeting of seven camps and hideouts belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its affiliates.
- An affiliate of the Islamic State Khorasan Province was also struck.
Pakistan conducted airstrikes on Afghanistan on Thursday, killing at least nine people and injuring 11 more, according to the Afghan Taliban government. The strikes, which destroyed three houses in Kunar and Helmand provinces, have escalated tensions between the two neighboring countries.
Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated on X that at least nine people, including women and children, were killed and condemned the act as aggression and a crime in violation of all accepted principles. Reuters could not independently verify the information, and Pakistan's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
However, Pakistan confirmed the operation, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stating that Islamabad conducted "intelligence-based selective targeting" of seven camps and hideouts belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its affiliates. An affiliate of the Islamic State Khorasan Province was also struck. The Pakistan Army stated it had repeatedly urged the Taliban authorities in Kabul to take "verifiable measures" to prevent Afghan territory from being used by militant groups to carry out attacks in Pakistan, but claimed those efforts had failed.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring militants who stage cross-border attacks, a charge the Taliban government denies.