Pakistan Strikes Afghanistan: Targets Armed Groups After Deadly Attacks

Pakistan’s military conducted air strikes within Afghanistan on Sunday, targeting locations it identified as camps and hideouts used by armed groups responsible for recent attacks within Pakistan, including a suicide bombing that killed dozens at a Shia mosque in Islamabad. The strikes represent a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighboring countries, despite a recent ceasefire.

While the Taliban government in Afghanistan has yet to officially comment, Afghan sources reported to Al Jazeera that the strikes impacted two border provinces: Paktika and Nangarhar. A drone strike reportedly hit a religious school in Paktika province, with additional attacks occurring in Nangarhar.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated that the military executed “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps and hideouts belonging to the Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and their associated networks. The ministry also confirmed that an affiliate of the Islamic State group was targeted in the border region.

The Pakistani government asserts it possesses “conclusive evidence” linking recent attacks in Islamabad, as well as in the northwestern districts of Bajaur and Bannu, to fighters operating from Afghanistan under the direction of Afghanistan-based leadership. This claim echoes previous accusations leveled against Afghanistan for providing sanctuary to militant groups.

The strikes follow a series of violent incidents within Pakistan. Just hours before the air strikes, a suicide bomber attacked a security convoy in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel. On February 17th, a motorcycle bomb at a police station in Bajaur killed 11 soldiers and a child, with authorities identifying the attacker as an Afghan national. The deadliest recent attack occurred on February 6th, when a suicide bomber detonated explosives during prayers at the Khadija Tul Kubra mosque in Islamabad, claiming at least 31 lives and injuring 170 others. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the mosque bombing.

The attack on the Khadija Tul Kubra mosque was particularly notable as it was the second such incident in Islamabad in three months, raising concerns about a resurgence of violence in Pakistan’s urban centers. The Pakistani military previously stated that the planning and execution of that attack originated in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has long accused the Taliban government of failing to prevent armed groups from utilizing Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan. Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Taliban to take substantive action against these groups, a plea that, according to the Pakistani Information Ministry, has gone unanswered. The ministry reiterated this call on Sunday, urging the international community to pressure the Taliban to uphold commitments made under the 2020 Doha agreement with the United States – specifically, preventing the use of Afghan soil for attacks against other countries.

The current escalation follows a period of heightened tensions, including deadly border clashes in October that resulted in casualties on both sides. Those clashes were preceded by explosions in Kabul, which Afghan officials blamed on Pakistan. A ceasefire mediated by Qatar in October has largely held, but subsequent talks in Istanbul failed to yield a formal agreement.

Pakistan has experienced a surge in violence in recent years, largely attributed to the TTP and Baloch separatist groups. The TTP, in particular, is accused of operating from within Afghanistan, a charge the group denies. The Taliban government consistently denies providing shelter to anti-Pakistan armed groups.

The Pakistani Ministry of Information and Broadcasting emphasized that Pakistan “has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region” and that the safety and security of its citizens remains its top priority. However, the military’s actions suggest a shift towards a more assertive approach in addressing perceived threats emanating from across the border, even as diplomatic efforts to resolve the underlying issues remain stalled.