Pakistan says it struck militant targets in Afghanistan

https://p.dw.com/p/5GDTnThe latest operation is likely to further strain the frosty relationship between Islamabad and the ruling Taliban in Kabul [FILE: March 19, 2026]Image: Abdul Basit/AFPAdvertisementPakistan carried out a ground operation and strikes along its border with Afghanistan, the Pakistani information minister said on Sunday.

The operation was launched in response to "recent multiple terrorist incidents inside Pakistan," Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X late Sunday. It was "followed by calibrated strikes in the border region against the hideouts and safe havens of terrorists," Tarar added. Tara said at least 29 militants were killed in the strikes, including a senior commander.

He posted up a blurred but graphic image purportedly showing the dead commander. On Monday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that airstrikes hit Paktika, Paktia and Kunar provinces. Mujahid condemned the Pakistani military actions as a "cowardly act of aggression" in an X post.

Strikes are the latest in cross-border violence The strikes come a day after a bomb and gun attack in the southern port city of Karachi killed three paramilitary troops. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, claimed responsibility for the Karachi attack. The Pakistani Taliban are a separate militant group but are allied with the Afghan Taliban.

Islamabad accuses the the Taliban of harboring militants who carry out deadly attacks inside Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban, which seized power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021, denies the accusation. Pakistan and Afghanistan have seen their ties spiral into deadly armed conflict in recent months.

Why Pakistan is fighting the Taliban it once backedTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Edited by: Kieran Burke Don't let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google by clicking here and hitting the "star" or "preferred" button, so you'll always see our verified news first. Advertisement More on Conflicts from AsiaIndian seafarers pay the price in US-Iran warAt least seven Indian seafarers have been killed in attacks on commercial vessels since the US-Iran conflict escalated.

Conflicts06/26/2026June 26, 202605:26 minNorth Korea: Kim Jong Un oversees ballistic missile testsPyongyang tested "major weapons" as Kim called for greater strike capabilities along the border with South Korea.Conflicts06/26/2026June 26, 2026Family seeks justice after Indian sailor killed in US strikeA US strike killed an Indian sailor, leaving his family grieving and raising questions over safety and accountability.Conflicts06/25/2026June 25, 2026Show more More on Conflicts from around the worldRussia's Putin promises security as Ukraine ramps up attacksThe Russian leader condemned what he called "terrorist attacks on our territory and infrastructure facilities."

Conflicts06/28/2026June 28, 2026Could US-backed Israel-Lebanon deal lead to civil war?The Israel-Lebanon framework agreement could pave the way for peace. Proof will be in its implementation, experts say.

Conflicts06/28/2026June 28, 202608:49 minUkraine strikes Russian weapons plant, Moscow fuel hubThe two attacks, in Volgograd and Vladimir regions, are part of Kyiv's strategy to bring the war to the Russian people.Conflicts06/27/2026June 27, 2026Show more Related topics