On Wednesday, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s charge d’affaires in Kabul to formally protest airstrikes reportedly carried out inside Afghanistan, targeting the hideouts of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to Afghan authorities, the airstrikes hit four locations in Paktika province’s Bermal district, where the TTP was allegedly holding a large gathering.
Read more: Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan Kill 46 in Paktika Province
Pakistan has yet to officially comment on the claims, but sources suggested that key TTP figures, including Munib Jatt, head of the TTP media cell, and commander Akhtar Muhammad Khalil, were targeted.
The airstrikes are believed to be in response to a rise in TTP-sponsored attacks in Pakistan, including a recent assault in South Waziristan that killed 16 Pakistani soldiers. Earlier in March, Pakistan had conducted similar strikes targeting Hafiz Gul Bahadur’s group, marking the first time Islamabad publicly acknowledged such actions.
Despite the airstrike allegations, Pakistan’s special envoy, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq, continued talks with Afghan officials in Kabul on a political solution to security issues.
However, Afghan authorities issued a strong protest, claiming that the strikes killed 46 people, mostly from Waziristan, and injured six others. The Taliban condemned the airstrikes, calling them an attack on Afghanistan’s sovereignty, and vowed to defend their territory.
Kabul also reiterated its stance on not tolerating violations of its national integrity and warned of consequences for such actions.
