Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan Kill Over 80 Militants, Afghan Taliban Allege Civilian Deaths

Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan on Saturday, destroying seven Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps and reportedly killing more than 80 militants, a Pakistani security official told Arab News. The Afghan Taliban, however, accused Pakistan of killing civilians in the strikes.

The airstrikes followed a series of militant attacks inside Pakistan, including a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad, and separate incidents in Bajaur and Bannu, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. Pakistani authorities allege these attacks were orchestrated by TTP and allied groups based in Afghanistan, a claim Kabul denies.

“Last night, Pakistan’s intelligence-based air strikes destroyed seven centers of Fitna Al-Khawarij TTP in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces, killing more than eighty Khawarij (TTP militants), with additional casualties expected,” said the Pakistani official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

An earlier statement from Pakistan’s information ministry said some targets included a camp of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), the regional Daesh affiliate responsible for the Islamabad mosque attack that killed 32 people earlier this month.

In response, Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces violated Afghan territory. “Pakistani special military circles have once again trespassed into Afghan territory,” he said on X. “They bombed our civilian compatriots in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, killing and wounding dozens, including women and children.”

The Afghan Taliban’s claims could not be independently verified, and Pakistan has not immediately commented on allegations of civilian casualties.

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, and lodged a formal protest, condemning the strikes as a violation of Afghan sovereignty. The ministry warned that the responsibility for any consequences of such actions would rest with Pakistan.

Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have intensified since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021. Pakistan claims cross-border militant attacks have risen since then and accuses the Taliban of failing to enforce the 2020 Doha Agreement, which requires Afghan soil not to be used for attacks against other countries. The Taliban deny these accusations.

Saturday’s exchange marks one of the most direct confrontations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent months and risks further straining relations along the volatile border.