On March 18, Pakistan launched airstrikes targeting suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. This action comes two days after a suicide bombing and coordinated attacks in northwestern Pakistan left seven soldiers dead. The airstrikes, believed to have occurred in the Khost and Paktika provinces bordering Pakistan, resulted in at least eight casualties, mostly women and children.
There has been a military response from Afghan troops on Pakistan military posts on the Durand Line.
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The Afghan Taliban government has condemned the airstrikes, which are likely to further strain relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. While details remain scarce, Pakistani officials confirmed the airstrikes took place but offered no further comment. The Pakistani Taliban, a separate militant group aligned with the Afghan Taliban, also acknowledged the strikes, claiming civilian casualties, including women and children.
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It’s unclear how deep into Afghan territory Pakistani jets penetrated during the operation. This marks the first officially acknowledged airstrikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan since 2022, when similar operations targeting militant hideouts were conducted without official confirmation.
This incident raises questions about the future of regional security. The airstrikes, following a deadly attack on Pakistani soil, paint a picture of heightened tensions between the two nations. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the security landscape in the region.
March 18,2024
Source: AP News