Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan Escalate Tensions

Pakistan conducted airstrikes along its border with Afghanistan, targeting alleged hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and its affiliates, including an Islamic State group affiliate. Pakistan's deputy interior minister, Talal Chaudhry, claimed at least 70 militants were killed, a figure later reported as 80 by state media. Afghanistan's Defence Ministry condemned the strikes as a violation of its airspace and sovereignty, reporting civilian casualties in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated dozens, including women and children, were killed or wounded, and called Pakistan's claims inaccurate. Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan's ambassador to protest the attacks. Pakistan's Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, justified the 'intelligence-based, selective operations' by citing recent militant attacks in Pakistan, which he attributed to Afghanistan-based leadership. He urged the international community to pressure the Taliban to uphold commitments under the Doha agreement. Security analyst Abdullah Khan suggested that mediation efforts by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have failed, and the strikes are likely to escalate the situation.