Pakistan Carries Out Deadly Airstrikes Along Afghanistan Border, Kabul Condemns Action

Pakistan launched airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, reporting that at least 25 people died in operations targeting militants it blames for a recent deadly attack in Karachi. However, Afghan authorities stated that dozens of civilians were killed or wounded in the strikes across three eastern provinces. The Taliban government condemned the military action as a "cowardly act of aggression." This escalation marks the latest in a series of violent incidents between the two nations since the Taliban regained power in 2021.

The Pakistani airstrikes followed an attack on the paramilitary Rangers' regional headquarters in Karachi over the weekend, which killed three soldiers. A suspect identified as an Afghan national was arrested following the assault. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the Karachi attack. Pakistan's information minister, Attaullah Tarar, asserted that the operations targeted hideouts of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and another group Pakistan refers to as Fitna al-Khwarij.

Pakistan has experienced a significant increase in militant attacks in recent years, with authorities attributing most of the violence to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and allied groups. While the TTP and the Afghan Taliban are allies, they are distinct militant organizations. Despite a ceasefire agreement in March, sporadic attacks have continued, including Pakistani strikes in June that Afghan officials say killed 13 people. The ongoing conflict complicates Pakistan's role in mediating between the US and Iran, as Islamabad insists its domestic battle against militancy necessitates cross-border operations.

Afghan authorities have consistently denied that their territory is used by militants targeting Pakistan and have reported substantial civilian casualties from Pakistani operations. Previous strikes, including one in March at a drug treatment center, have been reported by the UN to have killed hundreds. The two neighboring countries engaged in broader conflict in late February, resulting in widespread violence and displacement. International mediation efforts, including by China, have so far failed to yield a lasting resolution, and the border has remained largely closed since October.

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cowardly act of aggression