Kabul. Afghan authorities said at least three civilians were killed and several others wounded after midnight airstrikes, whereas Pakistan maintained the missions targeted suspected militant positions. Independent verification of either account is still pending.
Afghan officials pinpointed the main strike to the Nurgal district of Kunar province around 03:00 local time. A residential block was hit, leaving three dead and injuring a number of occupants. The victims were identified as non‑combatants and the building suffered heavy damage.
Pakistan also reported strikes in the Barmal district of neighboring Paktika province. Afghan sources said two sites – a shop and an empty house – were hit, but no casualties were recorded there.
Pakistan says the raids hit militant hideouts
Pakistani security officials asserted that the operations were aimed at suspected bases of the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban regime of tolerating TTP elements on its soil.
According to Pakistan, the strikes eliminated 28 alleged militants. Kabul, however, reported three civilian deaths in Kunar and a string of injuries, highlighting the stark contrast between the two narratives.
The Afghan Taliban government has rejected Pakistan’s accusations, insisting that Afghanistan does not permit any group to launch attacks against its neighbour.
Airstrikes follow a wave of attacks in Pakistan
The bombings came days after a series of deadly assaults on Pakistani security forces in the north‑west. A large‑scale assault on a police compound in Kohat left more than 20 dead and over a hundred injured. The following day, an attack in Hangu killed six security personnel.
Pakistani authorities linked these incidents to militant outfits they allege operate from Afghan territory, with suspicion again falling on the TTP, although no group claimed responsibility for the Kohat attack.
In response, Islamabad warned it could target militant sites inside Afghanistan and urged Kabul to adopt “credible and verifiable” measures against groups blamed for cross‑border attacks.
Kabul denounces the strikes
The Taliban‑led Afghan government condemned the airstrikes as violations of sovereignty and warned of a proportional response.
Spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid described the attacks as “unacceptable” and emphasized that the reported victims were civilians. Afghan officials also disputed Pakistan’s version of the target list.
Kabul maintains that internal security challenges of Pakistan should not be addressed through military action on Afghan soil.
The TTP question remains a flashpoint
The Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan continues to be the most contentious issue between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan views the group as a grave security threat and accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing it sanctuary.
The Afghan Taliban rejects these claims, insisting that its territory will not be used as a launchpad for attacks against any third country.
Although the two movements are distinct, they share ideological roots, and the dispute over TTP activity has deepened mistrust between the neighbours.
Border disputes add another layer
The airstrikes occur against a backdrop of longstanding friction along the Afghanistan‑Pakistan frontier. Both capitals have previously exchanged fire and accused each other of breaching security accords.
The Durand Line remains a point of contention: Afghanistan disputes its legitimacy, while Pakistan treats it as the official border.
Recent military moves therefore risk inflaming already volatile relations, just as regional actors are urging both sides to resume dialogue.
Regional powers push for mediation
China, Qatar and Turkey have all played diplomatic roles aimed at easing Islamabad‑Kabul tensions. Despite recurring flare‑ups, diplomatic channels remain the preferred avenue for conflict resolution.
Afghan officials stress that security talks are essential to address the deeper grievances fueling the dispute.
Nevertheless, the latest strikes have revived fears of renewed cross‑border hostilities, coming after a series of serious clashes earlier in the year.
Recent clashes have already strained ties
Over the past twelve months, relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply, especially over accusations of militant sanctuaries. In February, intense fighting erupted after Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, prompting a retaliatory response from Kabul.
Even after temporary lulls, the core disputes over security and sovereignty have persisted, and the newest strikes underscore how unresolved issues continue to threaten stability.
For Pakistan, the central concern is neutralising militants it says operate from Afghan soil. For Kabul, the priority is safeguarding sovereignty and preventing foreign military incursions.
Outlook remains uncertain
The Monday‑night raids have thrust the dispute back into the spotlight. Afghan officials report civilian casualties, while Pakistani authorities frame the operation as a legitimate strike against suspected militants.
The divergent narratives highlight the broader mistrust between the neighbours. Islamabad continues to demand action against the TTP and related groups, whereas Kabul rejects any implication that it shelters such elements.
The immediate question is whether these airstrikes will trigger further exchanges along the border or whether diplomatic interventions can forestall a larger confrontation.
At present, tension remains high in the eastern Afghan provinces bordering Pakistan, and future developments will hinge on the responses of Kabul, Islamabad and the armed factions involved.
