Pakistan launched two airstrikes into Afghanistan on Monday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people, including three children, according to Afghan officials. The strikes, which occurred in the Paktika and Khost provinces in eastern Afghanistan, have escalated tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The Taliban officials in Afghanistan condemned the airstrikes, labeling them as a violation of Afghan territory. The attacks come in the wake of increased militant activity in Pakistan following the Taliban’s takeover of power in Afghanistan. Pakistani officials have accused militants operating from Afghan soil, protected by the Taliban administration, for the surge in attacks. However, Taliban officials have denied these claims.
In response to the recent attacks on its military post near the Afghan border, Pakistan carried out intelligence-based antiterrorist operations inside Afghanistan. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the Taliban administration of aiding militants operating in Pakistan, specifically referencing the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (T.T.P.).
The surge in militant violence in Pakistan over the past two years has prompted the Pakistani government to take a tough stance against the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. The violence has raised concerns of a potential conflict along the historically contested border between the two countries.
The airstrikes on Monday were the first launched by Pakistan into Afghanistan in nearly two years. The last strikes in April 2022 resulted in the deaths of at least 45 people in eastern Afghanistan. The recent airstrikes were part of Pakistan’s military response to the attack on its military post, which claimed the lives of seven security forces members.
President Asif Ali Zardari vowed a strong response to any individuals or groups attempting to commit acts of terror within Pakistan’s borders. The ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan highlight the complex security challenges facing the region.
The airstrikes and subsequent statements from both countries underscore the fragile relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan and the need for diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of militant violence in the region.
