Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday carried out airstrikes on Afghanistan’s capital Kabul and two other provinces, escalating tensions between the two neighbours after the Afghan Taliban announced attacks on Pakistani military posts late Thursday night.
The fresh hostilities have intensified long-standing friction between the two countries, prompting appeals for restraint from the United Nations as well as countries including China, Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
According to Pakistani military sources, airstrikes were carried out in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktika. However, there was no immediate independent confirmation of casualties.
Casualty claims
A spokesperson for the Pakistani military claimed that since fighting began late Thursday night, 274 officials and operatives linked to Afghanistan’s Taliban administration had been killed.
Pakistan also acknowledged the loss of 12 of its soldiers in the clashes.
Officials said the Pakistan Air Force struck 22 different locations across Afghanistan, primarily targeting what it described as military positions.
The situation marks one of the sharpest escalations in recent years, raising fears of a broader regional conflict along the volatile Durand Line border.
