Pakistan Accused in Deadly Afghanistan Air Strikes

Facts

• In reaction to a deadly militant attack on Saturday that killed seven Pakistani soldiers, Pakistan launched "intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations" in the Khost and Paktika region along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.¹
• On X, formerly Twitter, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid denied responsibility for Saturday's attack on Pakistani forces and blamed Pakistan for the attack that killed eight women and children. He warned Pakistan not to blame the Taliban for Islamabad's internal issues problems.¹
• Since the Taliban retook control of the country in 2021, the number of militant strikes has increased significantly. Pakistan accused "certain elements among those in power" of "actively patronising" the militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and of using them as a proxy.¹
• According to Pakistan's foreign ministry, the target of the strike in Afghanistan was the terrorist group Hafiz Gul Bahadur, which, like the TTP, has carried out numerous operations inside Pakistan.²
• According to the defense ministry, Afghan border forces used "heavy weapons" to assault Pakistani military installations along the border in retaliation for the airstrikes. The ministry said its security and defense forces would protect its territory and react to any belligerent actions.³
• Islamabad and Kabul are attempting to use diplomatic channels to de-escalate the situation. Nevertheless, there remains a danger of additional escalation and broader violence as a result of the Pakistani air strike and the Afghan retaliation. Both sides are under a lot of pressure to end the conflict peacefully.⁴

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²Al Jazeera, ³France 24 and ⁴India.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Al Jazeera. Terrorist organizations like the TTP pose a combined threat to regional peace and security, according to Pakistan. They frequently launch terror attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians from Afghan territory. Islamabad does not want to escalate the conflict. Instead, it seeks a collaborative solution to a common problem. Above all, terrorist organizations should not be allowed to sabotage bilateral relations.
• Narrative B, as provided by France 24. Kabul condemns the death of innocent women and children within Afghanistan's borders. The Pakistani attack constitutes a clear violation of Afghan sovereignty. Pakistan is said to have attacked a militant insurgency, yet there were no militants present, simply harmless refugees from Waziristan. If Pakistan continues to carry out illegal airstrikes within Afghanistan, Afghan security forces will strike back.

Predictions