Kabul. Afghan authorities say at least three people were killed and several injured when Pakistani airstrikes struck residential areas in eastern Afghanistan. Pakistan, for its part, maintains the missions were aimed at suspected militant positions.
Afghan officials pinpointed the primary strike to the early‑hours of 3 a.m. in Nurgal district, Kunar province. A house was hit, killing three civilians and wounding a number of neighbours. The government described the victims as non‑combatants and noted extensive damage to the structure.
In a separate operation, Pakistan reportedly bombed two sites in Barmal district, Paktika province. Afghan sources said a shop and an empty house were damaged, but no casualties were reported there.
Pakistan claims the raids hit militant hideouts
Pakistani security officials asserted that the airstrikes targeted locations linked to the Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of using Afghan soil as a sanctuary. According to Islamabad, the operation eliminated 28 suspected militants.
Afghanistan, however, counters that three civilians died in Kunar and several others were hurt, rejecting Pakistan’s casualty figures. Independent verification of either side’s claims remains pending.
Bombings follow a wave of attacks inside Pakistan
The strikes came days after deadly assaults on Pakistani security forces in the north‑west. A large‑scale attack on a police compound in Kohat left more than 20 dead and over 100 injured, while a subsequent raid in Hangu claimed six security personnel.
Pakistani authorities have linked these incidents to militant groups they allege operate from across the Afghan border, though no organization has formally claimed responsibility for the Kohat attack. Islamabad warned it could retaliate against targets inside Afghanistan if the violence continues.
Kabul denounces the airstrikes as a breach of sovereignty
The Taliban‑run Afghan government condemned the raids, describing them as violations of Afghan sovereignty and promising a response. Spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid called the attacks "unacceptable" and emphasized that the reported victims were civilians.
Kabul reiterated that it does not permit any group to use Afghan territory as a launchpad for attacks against Pakistan, arguing that internal security issues should be resolved without foreign military incursions.
The TTP question fuels the dispute
The Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan remains a flashpoint in Islamabad‑Kabul relations. Pakistan views the TTP as a major security threat and repeatedly alleges that the Afghan Taliban shelters its fighters. The Afghan side denies these accusations, insisting its land will not be used to attack a neighbour.
Although the two groups are distinct, shared ideology and historical ties complicate the narrative, deepening mistrust between the two capitals.
Border friction adds another layer of tension
These airstrikes occur against a backdrop of longstanding border disagreements. The Durand Line, recognized by Pakistan as the international frontier, continues to be contested by Afghanistan, fueling periodic skirmishes and mutual accusations of security violations.
Recent cross‑border fire and now aerial attacks risk escalating an already fragile relationship, at a time when regional powers are urging dialogue.
Regional actors push for diplomatic solutions
Countries such as China, Qatar and Turkey have previously mediated between Islamabad and Kabul to defuse tensions. While military exchanges have intensified, diplomatic channels remain essential for preventing a broader conflict.
Afghan officials stress that sustained dialogue on security issues is necessary to address the root causes of the dispute, even as both sides exchange starkly different narratives of the latest incidents.
Outlook: heightened alert on both sides
The Monday airstrikes have reignited the debate over cross‑border militancy. Afghanistan reports civilian casualties; Pakistan frames the operation as a counter‑terrorism measure.
How the two governments respond—whether through further military action or renewed diplomatic engagement—will shape the security dynamics of the eastern Afghan provinces for the foreseeable future.
