Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes in Afghanistan; Kabul Vows Retaliation
- Afghanistan International Affairs Middle East Pakistan South Asia
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 2 minutes read
In a significant escalation of tensions between the two nations, Pakistan launched a series of retaliatory strikes against Afghanistan on February 17, 2025. The strikes, which targeted militant strongholds and training camps, were in response to a deadly cross-border attack on Pakistani soil by Afghanistan-based militants. According to reports, the Pakistani military launched a series of airstrikes and artillery bombardments against militant targets in eastern Afghanistan. The strikes, which were carried out by Pakistani fighter jets and artillery units, targeted militant strongholds and training camps in the provinces of TTP in Barmal, Afghanistan. The strikes occurred hours after Mohammad Sadiq, special representative for Afghanistan visited Kabul to discuss trade and diplomatic relations.
Reports claim that the strikes resulted in the deaths of dozens of militants, including several high-ranking commanders. The military also claimed that several militant training camps and infrastructure including houses, a TTP media house and an Islamic school were destroyed in the attack killing women and children.
The Afghan government has strongly condemned the Pakistani strikes, describing them as a “clear violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” And said, attacks like this won’t go unchallenged. The Taliban, which has been fighting the Afghan government, has also condemned the Pakistani
strikes, describing them as a “brazen aggression” against Afghanistan. The Pakistani government has defended the strikes, describing them as a necessary response to the cross-border attack on Pakistani soil. The retaliatory strikes by Pakistan against Afghanistan have significantly escalated tensions between the two nations. With both countries trading accusations and blame, the situation has the potential to spiral out of control. Diplomatic efforts are urgently needed to de-escalate the situation and prevent further violence.