Pakistan Airstrikes In Afghanistan Kill 28, Raise Kabul-Islamabad Conflict Fears

Pakistan's information ministry said on Monday that airstrikes on three sites in Afghanistan killed 28 "terrorists" and suicide bombers, deepening a confrontation that could drag the two neighbours into new fighting. The attacks came after a suicide bombing at a police station compound in northwestern Pakistan and revived fears that the dispute could spill into open conflict again according to Reuters.

One of the strikes hit Afghanistan's northeastern Kunar province. The attack comes months after Pakistan and Afghanistan were involved in their most serious military confrontation in years in February.

The latest flare-up also comes days after the Taliban warned it would defend Afghan territory against any Pakistani military action. That warning now frames the risk of another direct clash between Kabul and Islamabad.

Taliban Warning

Ahead of the imminent Pakistani strikes, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had warned Islamabad against carrying out strikes inside Afghanistan, saying Kabul would respond militarily if its territory is attacked.

In an interview Mujahid rejected Pakistan's allegations that militant groups based in Afghanistan recruit, train and launch attacks against Pakistan. “If Pakistan invokes Article 51 to violate the sanctity of Afghan territory, Afghanistan has the right to defend its country, and we will do so,” Mujahid said.

He said any Pakistani military operation inside Afghanistan would amount to a violation of Afghan sovereignty and could trigger a strong response from Kabul. The remarks came as tensions were already running high along the border.

Kabul Denies TTP

Mujahid was replying to remarks from a Pakistani military spokesperson. The spokesperson told Al Arabiya English that militant groups used Afghan territory to recruit, train and arm fighters before sending them into Pakistan.

Mujahid rejected that account and said the Taliban administration does not allow the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, to operate from Afghan soil. He also denied that the Taliban government supports armed groups carrying out attacks against other countries.

He said Pakistan should look inward at its own security failures. Mujahid argued that attacks linked to the TTP and Baloch armed groups predated the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Pakistan has repeatedly accused militant groups of using Afghan soil and has urged Kabul to act, while the Taliban has kept denying that Afghan territory is being used for attacks on Pakistan.

Talks And Mediation

Despite warning of military retaliation, Mujahid said Kabul remained willing to engage with Islamabad through dialogue.

He called for stronger intelligence-sharing arrangements and greater bilateral cooperation to address security concerns along the two countries' border. He also backed a possible mediation role for Saudi Arabia, saying Riyadh has good relations with both Afghanistan and Pakistan and could help the two sides resolve their differences.

Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have remained strained over militant activity along their shared border. The latest airstrike, coming amid fresh security concerns, risks further worsening those ties and could lead to another confrontation between the neighbours.