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 further escalated tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The Pakistani government has attributed the surge in attacks by militants in Pakistan to groups operating from Afghan soil, which they claim are being protected by the Taliban administration in Afghanistan. In response, Pakistan carried out “intelligence-based antiterrorist operations” inside Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban of aiding militants operating in Pakistan.
The recent violence has raised concerns of a wider conflict along the historically contested border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, known as the Durand Line. The Pakistani government has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to rein in the militants, while the Taliban officials deny supporting militant groups in Pakistan.
The airstrikes on Monday mark a significant escalation in the conflict, as they are the first launched by Pakistan into Afghanistan in nearly two years. The strikes were in response to a suicide blast that killed seven Pakistani security forces on Saturday, prompting a military operation that resulted in the deaths of eight militants.
The Pakistani government has vowed to respond strongly to any acts of terrorism within its borders, regardless of the perpetrators’ identity or country of origin. The airstrikes are seen as a message to the Taliban administration that Pakistan will take a tougher stance against militant violence.
The situation remains tense as both countries navigate the complex dynamics of cross-border terrorism and territorial disputes. The international community will be closely watching to see how the situation unfolds and whether diplomatic efforts can help de-escalate the conflict.
