Islamabad launched a series of airstrikes targeting militants within Afghanistan early Sunday, claiming to have killed at least 70 individuals it identified as militants responsible for recent attacks on Pakistani soil. The strikes, described as targeting “terrorist hideouts,” have been met with strong condemnation from Kabul, which asserts the attacks struck civilian areas and resulted in numerous casualties, including women and children.
The Pakistani military stated the operations were “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps belonging to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and affiliates, including a group linked to the Islamic State, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar via Reuters. The strikes follow a surge in militant violence within Pakistan, including recent suicide bombings that have claimed dozens of lives.
Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry released a statement calling the strikes a violation of its airspace and sovereignty, stating that “various civilian areas” in the provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika were hit, including a religious madrassa and multiple homes. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the attacks “killed and wounded dozens, including women and children,” and dismissed Pakistan’s claim of 70 militants killed as “inaccurate.”
Civilian Casualties Reported
Reports from the ground paint a grim picture of the aftermath. Mawlawi Fazl Rahman Fayyaz, the provincial director of the Afghan Red Crescent Society in Nangarhar province, reported 18 people were killed and several others wounded. Local tribal elder Habib Ullah, speaking to the Associated Press, stated those killed were not militants but “poor people who suffered greatly,” adding they were not affiliated with the Taliban, military, or former government. Villagers in Nangarhar were seen clearing rubble on Sunday as preparations for funerals began.
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to Kabul to protest the strikes, asserting that protecting Afghanistan’s territory is a “Sharia responsibility” and warning Pakistan of consequences.
Escalating Tensions and Recent Attacks
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harboring the TTP, a claim both the group and Kabul deny. The TTP is separate from, but closely allied with, Afghanistan’s Taliban. The recent strikes come after a suicide bomber targeted a security convoy in Bannu, Pakistan, killing two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel. Prior to that, a suicide bombing in Bajaur district killed 11 soldiers and a child, with Pakistani authorities identifying the attacker as an Afghan national according to France 24.
Pakistan claims to have “conclusive evidence” linking recent attacks, including a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad that killed 31 worshippers, to militants operating from Afghanistan. Islamabad has urged the Taliban authorities to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory for attacks within Pakistan, alleging that no substantial action has been taken.
Ceasefire Attempts and Regional Implications
The strikes suggest a breakdown in recent mediation efforts. Security analyst Abdullah Khan in Islamabad noted the operations indicate that Qatari, Turkish, and Saudi-led mediations have failed to resolve tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, and warned that the situation is likely to escalate as reported by the BBC. A Qatari-mediated ceasefire, established after deadly border clashes in October that resulted in dozens of casualties, has largely held, but talks in Istanbul in November failed to produce a formal agreement.
The October clashes, which involved both soldiers and suspected militants, followed explosions in Kabul that Afghan officials blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad responded at that time with strikes targeting militant hideouts within Afghanistan.
The situation remains fluid, and the potential for further escalation is high. The international community is likely to increase pressure on Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to address concerns about the presence of militant groups within its borders and uphold commitments under the Doha agreement. Further diplomatic efforts will be crucial to de-escalate tensions and prevent a wider conflict.
What comes next will depend on Afghanistan’s response to the strikes and whether Pakistan undertakes further military action. The stability of the region hinges on a resolution to the ongoing security concerns and a commitment to dialogue between the two nations.
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