Pakistan and Afghanistan trade strikes and accusations as border conflict escalates

Pakistan carried out repeated air strikes inside Afghanistan between late September and October 1, saying it was targeting militant groups behind attacks on its territory. Afghanistan's Taliban government says civilians have been killed and has condemned the strikes as aggression. Casualty claims from the two sides differ sharply and could not be independently verified.

A deadly attack in Kohat

Pakistan's military has pointed to a suicide bombing at a mosque inside a police compound in Kohat, followed by an armed assault, that killed at least 21 people, mostly police officers, France 24 reported. Six Pakistani security personnel were also killed in a shootout with militants in Hangu district, according to the outlet.

Strikes in September

On September 21, Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan killed 28 fighters, according to Islamabad, Al Jazeera reported. Afghan officials reported civilian casualties, and the UN confirmed three civilian deaths, according to Al Jazeera.

On September 24, Pakistan struck 10 sites in Afghanistan's southern and eastern provinces, including areas in Kandahar, Paktia and Khost, France 24 reported. Pakistan said the sites were used to store and launch drones. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said four civilians were killed.

Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes were retaliation for Taliban drone attacks. "Instead of dismantling these networks and taking credible and verifiable action against those using Afghan territory to perpetrate terrorism against Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban regime has chosen to escalate the situation through hostile drone operations against Pakistan," he said, according to France 24. Mujahid rejected the drone allegations and warned: "These shameless acts of aggression and attacks by the Pakistani military regime will be met with an appropriate response."

On September 27, Al Jazeera reported that Afghanistan's defence ministry said it had killed 28 fighters who crossed from Pakistan into Nuristan province. Afghanistan alleged that "most of the fighters were former Afghan government security personnel recruited by Pakistan's intelligence services". Pakistan rejected the claims as "frivolous, baseless and devoid of any truth".

October 1 strikes

On October 1, Pakistan struck targets in Kunar and Helmand provinces, according to Al Jazeera. Pakistan's Information Ministry said it had hit "camps and hideouts" of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army, adding: "Targets were destroyed with precision and initial reports suggest killing of twenty two terrorists."

Mujahid said nine people were killed and 11 wounded and that three houses were destroyed. "We condemn this act and consider it an aggression and crime against all accepted principles," he said. The UN said at least 10 civilians, mostly children, were killed and nine injured, Al Jazeera reported.

Why it matters

The strikes mark an escalation after what Al Jazeera described as three months of relative calm between the neighbours. France 24 reported that the fighting threatens mediation efforts by China, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harbouring armed groups that attack across the border, a charge the Taliban government denies.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.