Kabul. Afghan authorities announced that at least three civilians were killed and several others wounded after aerial strikes in the eastern provinces, whereas Pakistan maintained the missions targeted suspected militant positions. Independent verification of the conflicting claims is still pending.
Chronology of the strikes
Afghan officials said the primary attack occurred around 03:00 hrs in the Nurgal district of Kunar province, striking a residential building. The explosion left three people dead and injured multiple others, with the structure suffering extensive damage.
In a separate operation, Pakistan reportedly bombed two sites in the Barmal district of neighbouring Paktika province. According to Afghan sources, a shop and an empty house were hit, but no casualties were reported there.
Pakistan’s narrative: targeting militant hideouts
Pakistani security officials asserted that the airstrikes were directed at hideouts of fighters linked to the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group Islamabad accuses of using Afghan soil as a launchpad for attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistani statements claimed that 28 suspected militants were eliminated, while Afghan officials emphasized that the victims in Kunar were civilians and that the damage was inflicted on non‑military property.
Recent violence in Pakistan that preceded the raids
The strikes came on the heels of lethal assaults on Pakistani security forces in the north‑west. A major attack on a police compound in Kohat killed at least 21 people and injured over 100, followed a day later by an attack in Hangu that claimed six security personnel.
Although no group immediately claimed responsibility for the Kohat attack, Pakistani authorities have repeatedly pointed to the TTP as the likely perpetrator and have warned of retaliatory measures against alleged militant bases in Afghanistan.
Afghan Taliban’s condemnation
The Taliban‑led government in Kabul denounced the airstrikes as a breach of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and warned of a proportional response. Spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid described the operation as “unacceptable” and reiterated that the reported casualties were civilians.
Kabul continues to reject accusations that it shelters anti‑Pakistani militants, arguing that Pakistan’s internal security challenges should not be addressed through cross‑border military actions.
The TTP dispute remains a flashpoint
The TTP issue persists as the most contentious point between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan views the group as a direct security threat and accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing it sanctuary, while the Afghan side insists its territory is not being used for attacks against any neighbor.
Although the Afghan Taliban and the TTP are distinct entities, their historical and ideological ties fuel mistrust and exacerbate diplomatic strains.
Border dynamics and broader tension
The latest strikes occur against a backdrop of long‑standing disagreements over the Durand Line. Afghanistan disputes Pakistan’s claim to the frontier, while Pakistan treats it as an internationally recognized border.
Periodic exchanges of fire and accusations of security‑zone violations have kept the relationship volatile, and the recent airstrikes add another layer of complexity to the already fragile peace.
Regional diplomatic efforts
Neighbouring powers such as China, Qatar and Turkey have previously mediated to de‑escalate Indo‑Pak‑Afghan tensions. Despite recurring military confrontations, diplomatic channels remain vital, and Afghan officials stress the need for continued dialogue on security matters.
Outlook
The Monday attacks have thrust the cross‑border dispute back into the spotlight. While Pakistan frames the operation as a counter‑terrorism measure, Afghanistan highlights civilian casualties and sovereignty violations.
Whether the incident will spiral into further exchanges or be contained through diplomatic engagement remains uncertain, but the situation along the eastern Afghan border stays highly volatile.
