Pakistan launches airstrikes in Afghanistan targeting militants, killing dozens

2026-02-22 - 20:42

Pakistani fighter jets conducted cross-border airstrikes in Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Paktika provinces early Sunday, targeting what Islamabad described as militant sanctuaries linked to recent suicide attacks on Pakistani soil. Pakistan's Information Ministry announced on social media that strikes hit "seven terrorist camps and hideouts" belonging to the Pakistani Taliban and ISIS Khorasan group, citing "conclusive evidence" that recent bombings including an attack in the capital Islamabad were planned and launched from Afghan territory. Conflicting Casualty Reports State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry told Geo News that preliminary reports indicate at least 70 "terrorists" were killed in the operation. Afghan officials presented a dramatically different account, with Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khwarazmi and government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stating that dozens of women and children were among the dead and wounded. Afghan broadcaster Tolo News reported strikes hit Khogyani, Ghani Khel, Behsud districts in Nangarhar, and Barmal and Urgun districts in Paktika, citing local sources confirming civilian casualties. Diplomatic Fallout Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan's Ambassador Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani, delivering a formal protest note, while the Defense Ministry warned on social media that "an appropriate and measured response will be taken at a suitable time." India's Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes, claiming they "resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan" and reiterated support for Afghanistan's sovereignty. The strikes follow years of tensions between the neighbors, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring Pakistani Taliban militants—charges the Taliban-led Afghan government denies—and deadly clashes last October that were temporarily eased by Qatari mediation.