Kabul says 36 civilians were killed and 160 injured, while Pakistan says the strikes targeted militant hideouts.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated once again after Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, triggering sharply conflicting accounts from both governments.
Pakistan says the operation targeted militant hideouts linked to groups responsible for recent attacks inside its territory. Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government, however, says the strikes hit civilian areas, killing dozens of people and injuring many more.
The incident marks another setback in the already fragile relationship between the two neighboring countries, despite recent diplomatic efforts to reduce cross-border violence.
Afghanistan Reports Civilian Casualties
According to the Taliban government in Kabul, Pakistani airstrikes struck three eastern provinces: Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar.
Afghan authorities said the attacks killed 36 civilians and injured 163 others.
Deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat alleged that the strikes continued even after local residents gathered to rescue victims in Paktia province, claiming the area was bombed a second time during rescue efforts.
The government condemned the attacks as a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and reiterated that civilians had borne the brunt of the military action.
Pakistan Says Militants Were the Target
Pakistan has rejected claims that civilians were deliberately targeted.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the operation focused on militant positions belonging to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter faction of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to Pakistani authorities, the airstrikes destroyed three militant targets across Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar, while accompanying ground operations near the border killed four additional militants.
Pakistan stated that a total of 25 militants were killed during the operation, describing the strikes as precision attacks against terrorist infrastructure.
Operation Linked to Karachi Attack
Islamabad said the military action was launched in response to a deadly militant assault on a Rangers paramilitary camp in Karachi over the weekend.
The attack involved explosives and gunfire, resulting in the deaths of three Pakistani paramilitary personnel.
Pakistani authorities also said they detained an Afghan national suspected of involvement in the attack and accused militant groups operating from Afghan territory of orchestrating cross-border violence.
Afghanistan has consistently denied that militant organizations use its territory to launch attacks against Pakistan.
Fragile Ceasefire Faces New Pressure
The latest strikes come only months after both countries agreed to a ceasefire aimed at reducing border tensions.
Although the agreement temporarily reduced violence, sporadic clashes have continued along the shared border.
Earlier this year, Afghan officials accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes that killed civilians. At the same time, Pakistan has maintained that its military operations are necessary to eliminate armed groups threatening its national security.
The renewed escalation raises concerns about the stability of bilateral relations at a time when regional security remains under significant pressure.
Longstanding Security Dispute
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of operating from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.
Islamabad argues that targeted military operations are necessary to prevent cross-border attacks and dismantle militant networks.
The Taliban administration has consistently rejected these allegations, insisting that Afghan territory is not being used to launch attacks against neighboring countries.
The disagreement over cross-border militancy has remained one of the most significant sources of friction between the two governments since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Regional Stability Remains a Concern
The latest exchange highlights the continuing security challenges facing South Asia.
While Pakistan says it is pursuing militants responsible for attacks on its soil, Afghanistan maintains that repeated military operations inside its territory are causing civilian casualties and undermining regional stability.
As investigations continue and diplomatic channels remain active, the incident is likely to intensify international attention on border security, counterterrorism cooperation, and the broader relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Source: Gulf News
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Afghan residents look at the remains of a building damaged in a Pakistani airstrike at a village in Tsamkani district of Afghanistan’s Paktia province on June 29, 2026.
AFP
