Pakistan Launches Airstrikes in Afghanistan After Border Infiltrations

The Pakistan Armed Forces conducted precision aerial and drone strikes against 10 military targets across the Afghan provinces of Kandahar, Paktia, Khost, Kunar, and Paktika on September 25, 2026. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the operations as a proportionate response to the neutralization of eight drones launched from Afghanistan the previous day near Torkham and Kohat.

The escalation followed multiple foiled infiltration attempts by Afghan Taliban fighters in the Gulistan and Chaman sectors of Balochistan. Pakistani troops responded to provocative firing with mortar fire and quadcopters, resulting in several Taliban casualties. In a separate intelligence operation in North Waziristan, security forces killed eight terrorists. Pakistan also alleged that the Research and Analysis Wing of India provided $7.8 million to support sabotage in Balochistan via a covert network directed by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strikes as "shameless acts of aggression," reporting that the attacks killed between four and seven civilians. The Afghan Ministry of Defense further claimed to have destroyed a Pakistani military post near Spin Boldak. While Islamabad maintains it acted in self-defense under Operation Ghazab lil Haq to dismantle sanctuaries used by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Kabul accused Pakistan of using the conflict to divert attention from domestic failures.