Pakistan strikes 10 sites in Afghanistan

On Thursday, Pakistan conducted airstrikes on 10 sites in Afghanistan, alleging they were utilized for launching drone attacks. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar detailed that these strikes targeted locations associated with what Pakistan deemed as ambush attempts originating from Afghan territory. The strikes were described as "deliberate, precise, calibrated, and proportionate" with a focus on military objectives.

The announcement followed reports by Pakistani officials that Afghan Taliban forces had deployed eight rudimentary drones and shelled Pakistani border posts after Pakistani troops intercepted an attempt to infiltrate from Pakistan into Afghanistan. There was no immediate reaction from Kabul to the latest Pakistani strikes. The Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied on Wednesday that Afghan Taliban forces had attacked Pakistan.

Reports suggest that the attempted infiltration took place near border posts in Paktia and Nangarhar provinces, with militants described as "Fitna-ul-Khawarij," a term Pakistan uses for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The militants allegedly received support from Afghan Taliban forces which subsequently fired mortars and heavy weapons at Pakistani border posts post the infiltration attempt was thwarted.

Some Afghan Taliban positions were reportedly abandoned, resulting in casualties, though these accounts could not be independently verified. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban government of facilitating militants to operate from Afghan territory and launching attacks within Pakistan, while Kabul has denied these allegations.

Additionally, eight drones launched from Afghanistan were reportedly shot down before reaching Kohat and Torkham border town, causing no damage. The escalation in tensions threatens ongoing mediation efforts by China, Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia aimed at easing relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. This follows a series of deadly militant attacks in Pakistan's northwest, including a shootout between Pakistani security personnel and militants in Hangu, resulting in six deaths, and a suicide bombing and gunbattle at a police compound in Kohat, killing at least 21 people.