Pakistan strikes Kunar and Helmand, claims 22 militants killed

Pakistan has carried out fresh airstrikes in Afghanistan's Kunar and Helmand provinces, with Islamabad claiming that at least 22 militants were killed, whereas the Taliban administration insists that nine civilians, including women and children, died and 11 others were wounded; neither account could be independently verified.

Pakistan's Ministry of Information said the strikes, conducted under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeted hideouts and training facilities allegedly used by the banned groups it designates Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, acting on credible intelligence. Islamabad asserted that militant positions, weapons and ammunition were destroyed, while maintaining that precautions had been taken to minimise civilian casualties. Conversely, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of bombing residential areas, stating that aircraft struck Kunar's Shultan district and Helmand's Garmser district and demolished three houses. Furthermore, he denounced the attacks as an act of aggression against Afghanistan.

The latest strikes come amid a sharp deterioration in relations between the two neighbours, following roughly three months of relative calm. Moreover, Pakistan has repeatedly alleged that the Taliban administration permits the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups to operate from Afghan soil and mount attacks inside Pakistan, allegations that Kabul categorically rejects.

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Meanwhile, the Taliban government contends that Pakistan's militancy problem is an internal matter and has consistently condemned Pakistani military action on Afghan territory. Consequently, the latest escalation, which follows several rounds of cross-border strikes and rival claims of militant activity, has heightened concerns over regional security and the safety of civilians caught between the two armies.