Pakistan airstrikes in Afghanistan kill four civilians following drone attacks

Border Conflict

Pakistan carried out air and drone strikes on ten locations inside Afghanistan on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of four civilians according to Kabul. The military action followed an incident on Wednesday when Pakistan's air defence systems detected and neutralised drones launched from Afghan territory. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the precision strikes targeted military objectives linked to the attempted drone attacks. He warned that any further provocative acts by the Afghan Taliban would receive a firm response. Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied that their government launched drones on Wednesday and confirmed the air strikes hit Kandahar, Paktia, and Khost provinces, warning of adverse consequences for the Pakistani military. Relations between the two neighbours have grown tense due to rising insurgencies along their border. Islamabad claims Afghanistan harbours Islamist militants who stage cross-border attacks, while the Taliban government denies this and states that militancy is an internal issue for Pakistan. A recent attack on a police facility in northwestern Pakistan killed at least 24 people, ending nearly three months of relative calm between the nations.