Pakistan’s military has launched what it calls “precision strikes” against militant infrastructure in and around Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, in a bid to dismantle networks it accuses of supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to official statements from Islamabad, the operation was carefully planned to target only “confirmed militant sites” while minimizing civilian harm. The military said the strikes were part of a broader counterterrorism effort following a recent surge in cross-border attacks that killed several Pakistani soldiers in the country’s northwest.
“Pakistan will continue to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens from cross-border terrorism,” said a senior Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media. “Every target was verified through multiple intelligence sources.”
However, the Taliban-led Afghan government has condemned the strikes, accusing Pakistan of violating its airspace and causing civilian casualties. Afghan officials claimed that several people were killed and injured when Pakistani jets hit areas near Kabul and parts of Paktika province — an allegation Islamabad has rejected.
In Kabul, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid called the attack “a breach of Afghanistan’s sovereignty,” warning that such actions could “undermine regional stability.” He said Taliban forces had responded with anti-aircraft fire along the border zones.
Tensions between the two countries have been simmering for months, largely over Islamabad’s accusations that Afghanistan-based militants are using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan. The TTP, an outlawed militant group responsible for hundreds of attacks over the past decade, has long been a sticking point in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
Security analysts say the strikes reflect growing frustration in Islamabad over what it sees as Kabul’s failure to rein in the TTP. “This operation is both a message and a warning,” said retired Lt. Gen. Talat Masood, a defense analyst. “Pakistan wants to show it will no longer tolerate cross-border sanctuaries for anti-state groups.”
Local Afghan media reported heavy explosions early Wednesday in several eastern districts, with eyewitnesses describing smoke rising from compounds believed to house militant fighters. The extent of damage and casualties remains unclear, as independent verification in those areas is limited.
Diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway through backchannels involving Qatar and China to ease tensions and prevent further escalation. Both countries have urged restraint, emphasizing that any military action should avoid civilian harm and prioritize dialogue.
As of Wednesday evening, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reiterated its stance that “the operation was necessary and justified” under international law, citing “the right to self-defense” against terrorist threats. Afghan authorities, meanwhile, have lodged a formal protest through their embassy in Islamabad.
Whether this marks the beginning of a prolonged campaign or a one-time operation remains to be seen. But for residents on both sides of the border, the fear of renewed conflict has once again returned — a reminder that peace in the region remains fragile and deeply uncertain.
