Pakistan Expands Military Operation Into Afghanistan, Kills 25 Fighters, Government Says

The Pakistani government declared that 25 fighters were killed in the airstrikes. The operation is directed against the militant group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which is frequently associated with the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP). The attacks were presented as a response to recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including an incident in the port city of Karachi in which three security forces personnel were killed on Saturday. According to the minister, the strikes also targeted violence in the border regions.

Kabul Reports Civilian Casualties

The Taliban government in Kabul rejected the account from Islamabad. A spokesperson for the Taliban government stated on the online service X that dozens of civilians had been injured or killed in the "cowardly act." The government in Kabul accuses Islamabad of violating Afghanistan's sovereignty with the attacks.

The background to the escalated action is the conflict between the two countries that has been ongoing since autumn. Since autumn, there have been repeated mutual attacks between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan intensified at the end of February. Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring terrorists who carry out attacks in Pakistan. The Taliban government in Kabul rejects these accusations.

Background of the Conflict

Since the escalation, Pakistan has repeatedly carried out airstrikes on targets in Afghanistan. The Pakistani leadership justifies the latest offensive as a response to a series of terrorist attacks in its own country. Tensions between the two states had recently sharpened significantly after militant groups repeatedly carried out attacks in Pakistani cities.

International observers see the expansion of the operation into Afghan territory as a turning point in the bilateral conflict. According to Pakistani accounts, ground troops and air force are operating in coordination against extremist positions. The Taliban government in Kabul, on the other hand, speaks of a violation of Afghan territory and announced retaliation.

The exact number of civilian casualties in the affected provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar currently cannot be independently verified. Both sides are disseminating contradictory figures on the consequences of the attacks. While Islamabad speaks exclusively of killed fighters, Kabul reports civilian losses.

International Concern

The Pakistani government announced that operations would continue until the infrastructure of the militant groups in the region was dismantled. At the same time, international concern is growing over further destabilization of the region. Diplomatic channels for de-escalation have so far produced no results. The news was broadcast on June 29, 2026 on the program Deutschlandfunk.

The attacks came just days after the Karachi attack, in which three security forces personnel were killed. Pakistani authorities blamed Jamaat-ul-Ahrar for it. The group has repeatedly claimed responsibility for attacks in Pakistan in the past.

Outlook

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated considerably since the spring of 2026. Both countries accuse each other of supporting armed groups that carry out attacks on the respective state's territory. A diplomatic solution to the conflict is currently not in sight.