Pakistan Air Force launched airstrikes on at least 10 sites in Afghanistan, including Kandahar, which is an important area for the Taliban government.
Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, stated that the military targeted “militant strongholds and logistics” after they noticed a drone carrying Taliban forces entering Pakistan.
People in the city reported hearing loud explosions and seeing fighter jets overhead during the attack. Local reports confirm significant blasts near military bases in Kandahar province. This is one of the strongest airstrikes Pakistan has ever carried out in Afghanistan.
“They did not give these militants a choice,” Tarar told AFP. “There are ongoing clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani border guards in various areas along the border.”
After almost five hours of fighting with heavy guns and small weapons between the Taliban and Pakistani border guards along the disputed Durand Line in Paktia province, Pakistan started firing back. Attaullah Tarar stated, “Pakistan does not want to escalate the situation and is fully committed to achieving lasting peace in our region. However, we clearly say that if either side continues to provoke, threatening Pakistan’s sovereignty through terrorism or other actions, we will respond firmly and fully.”
This week’s airstrike is Pakistan’s most serious action since the Taliban took control of Kabul last year. Islamabad claims that the terrorist group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) uses safe spaces in Afghanistan to plan attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. However, Taliban officials have repeatedly denied these claims and called the recent airstrikes major violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. There are also reports of damage to civilian homes, with many families fleeing border areas because of destruction from ongoing clashes.