Pakistan and Taliban Exchange Accusations Over Cross-Border Strikes

The Government of Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban administration are engaged in a sharp diplomatic dispute over cross-border militancy and civilian casualties. The conflict intensified following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's Kunar and Paktika provinces, which the Taliban claim have killed or injured 1,119 civilians, primarily women and children, since early 2022.

Pakistan's Foreign Office has rejected these casualty reports as baseless and unsubstantiated, asserting that its aerial and drone operations target only terrorist infrastructure and logistical bases. Islamabad maintains that the Taliban regime shelters groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army with impunity. Pakistan reports that attacks launched from Afghan soil caused more than 3,500 casualties within Pakistan in 2026 alone.

Afghan officials have urged Pakistan to address its domestic security failures through internal dialogue and diplomacy rather than military incursions. In response, Pakistan has called on the international community to hold the Taliban accountable for failing to uphold UN Security Council resolutions. Tensions have been escalating since October 2025, including the February 2026 launch of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq following border clashes.