Afghanistan – Kabul Claims Precision Airstrikes on ISIS Targets Inside Pakistan
Afghanistan – Afghanistan has announced that its military carried out targeted air operations against what it described as ISIS-linked locations inside Pakistan, marking a significant development in the already strained relationship between the two neighboring countries.
Afghan Defence Ministry Announces Cross-Border Operation
According to a statement issued by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence on Wednesday, the strikes were conducted late Tuesday night against locations in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Afghan authorities alleged that the targeted sites were being used by ISIS operatives to organize attacks, coordinate sabotage missions, and plan bombings aimed at Afghanistan.
The ministry identified one of the locations as the Saranan area of Pishin district in Balochistan, claiming it functioned as an operational center for planning attacks against Afghan civilians. Officials said the facility was also used to coordinate militant activities directed at destabilizing Afghanistan.
Multiple Locations Reportedly Targeted
Afghan officials further stated that additional strikes were carried out in the Qambar Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where they claimed another ISIS facility was located. A separate operation reportedly targeted a site in the Garam Chashma region of Chitral’s Shah Salim Valley, which Afghanistan described as another joint militant center.
The Defence Ministry maintained that these facilities were involved in preparing attacks against civilians and supporting extremist operations. Based on preliminary assessments, Afghan authorities said the military action caused heavy casualties among the alleged militants and resulted in considerable damage to their infrastructure.
The ministry also asserted that the airstrikes were conducted with precision and claimed there were no civilian casualties during the operation. It reiterated that Afghanistan would continue taking action against any location believed to threaten the country’s national security.
Escalation Follows Deadly Pakistani Airstrikes
The latest announcement comes amid rising tensions between Kabul and Islamabad following recent Pakistani military air operations inside Afghanistan. Afghan officials have accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes on June 28 in the eastern provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar.
According to Taliban Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, the Pakistani strikes resulted in the deaths of 36 civilians, including women and children, while 163 others were injured. He also stated that three residential houses were completely destroyed during the attacks.
The reported civilian casualties have intensified diplomatic friction between the two countries, with Afghan authorities strongly criticizing Pakistan’s military action.
Kabul Registers Diplomatic Protest
Earlier this week, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul to formally express its protest over the reported airspace violation and aerial bombardment of civilian areas.
The Foreign Ministry described the strikes as a serious breach of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and argued that the attacks violated international law as well as humanitarian principles. Afghan officials condemned the military action and called it an unacceptable infringement on the country’s territorial integrity.
The exchange of accusations highlights the growing security challenges along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where both governments have repeatedly raised concerns over cross-border militant activity. The latest developments are expected to further complicate diplomatic relations as regional security remains under close international observation.