Afghan provinces hit by Pakistani strikes

Pakistan launched airstrikes targeting sites in southern and eastern Afghanistan. The attacks resulted in four civilian deaths and damaged homes. The Afghan government strongly condemned the strikes, vowing an appropriate response to these 'acts of aggression'. The Pakistani military stated the operations targeted ten locations it claimed were used to launch attacks against Pakistan. These strikes represent a significant escalation in hostilities. Previous Pakistani air operations were disputed by Afghan authorities who reported civilian casualties, a claim confirmed by the UN mission in Afghanistan. Kabul formally protested those earlier attacks. The recent strikes follow heightened tensions from a deadly shootout with militants in Pakistan's Hangu district near the Afghan border, killing six Pakistani security personnel. Days prior, a suicide bomber and eight gunmen attacked a police compound in Kohat, killing at least 21 people, mostly officers. While no group immediately claimed responsibility, Pakistani authorities attributed the violence to the Pakistani Taliban and its allied militant factions. The Pakistani Taliban has intensified its assaults on Pakistani security forces. This increase in activity is widely seen as bolstered by the Afghan Taliban's return to power in 2021. The escalating cross-border violence threatens international mediation efforts to stabilize the region. Afghan officials maintain Pakistan should address internal security challenges without cross-border military action. The situation remains highly volatile, with both nations exchanging accusations and warnings.