Afghan-Pakistan Tensions Escalate as Kabul Claims Cross-Border Strike, Islamabad Rejects Allegation
Kabul – Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government said on Friday it had carried out strikes against militant hideouts inside Pakistan, a claim swiftly denied by Islamabad, marking a fresh escalation in a conflict that has strained relations between the neighboring countries and left hundreds dead this year.
Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry said its air force targeted locations in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces on Thursday night, alleging the sites were being used to plan and organize attacks against Afghanistan with the support of hostile intelligence networks.
The ministry said the operation successfully struck pre-designated targets but provided no details on casualties, damage assessments or the means used to conduct the attack.
Reuters could not independently verify the claim.
The reported operation represents Kabul’s first major offensive action in months and follows a series of cross-border confrontations that have intensified tensions between the two countries.
Although Afghanistan does not possess fighter jets, it is known to operate a limited fleet of aircraft and helicopters. Taliban forces are also believed to have drone capabilities that have previously been used in clashes with Pakistani forces.
Pakistan’s Information Ministry rejected Kabul’s account, stating that a “rudimentary drone” originating from Afghanistan had entered Pakistani airspace and was immediately detected and shot down.
“The claims are false, as usual,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X, adding that militant camps were located and operated inside territory controlled by the Afghan Taliban.
The dispute reflects a longstanding disagreement between the two governments over militant activity along their shared border. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of providing sanctuary to armed groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, allegations the Taliban administration denies.
Afghan officials maintain that militancy within Pakistan is an internal security issue and reject claims that Afghan territory is being used to stage cross-border attacks.
Relations between the two countries have deteriorated sharply despite diplomatic efforts, including mediation initiatives backed by China, aimed at reducing tensions and restoring security cooperation.
The latest exchange comes days after Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Afghan border provinces. The Taliban government said those strikes killed at least 13 people, including 11 children, and wounded 14 others.
Pakistan described the operation as a calibrated response to a recent surge in militant attacks in its northwestern regions and said 26 militants were killed.
The conflicting accounts underscore the deep mistrust between Kabul and Islamabad as violence along the frontier continues to challenge regional stability.
