Pakistan launches ‘precision strikes’ as Afghan Taliban say rehab center hit

Pakistan said on Tuesday its armed forces carried out “precision airstrikes” overnight as part of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, targeting what it described as Afghan Taliban regime “terrorism-sponsoring military installations” in Kabul and Nangarhar.

The strikes came hours after China said it remained ready to help ease tensions between the two South Asian neighbors and urged both sides to avoid expanding the conflict and return to dialogue.

Fighting that erupted last month marks the most serious confrontation in years between the neighbors, who share a 2,600-km (1,600-mile) border. The violence had eased following mediation efforts by friendly countries, including China, before flaring again.

The escalation also comes amid broader regional instability, as U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation have pushed the Middle East into a wider crisis.

In a post on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan’s armed forces destroyed technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities at two locations in Kabul.

“The visible secondary detonations after the strikes clearly indicate the presence of large ammunition depots,” Tarar said.

He added: “In Nangarhar, Pakistan Armed Forces also struck four Afghan Taliban regime terrorism sponsoring military sites, destroying associated logistics, ammunition, and technical infrastructure.”

The minister said all targeting was carried out with precision against infrastructure used by the Afghan Taliban regime to support “multiple terror proxies including Fitna Al Khawarij and Fitna Al Hindustan.”

He said: “False claims made by the propagandists Taliban regime cannot befool the Afghans and the world from their heinous actions supporting and sponsoring terrorism in the region.”

Tarar added that operations under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq to safeguard Pakistani citizens against terrorism waged by what he described as a “Master Terror Proxy” would continue until the objectives were achieved.

Afghanistan claims 400 killed

The Afghan Taliban government said at least 400 people were killed and 250 injured in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug users’ rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, according to a report carried by Reuters.

Pakistan rejected the claim as “false and misleading”, saying it had “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure” during the strikes on Monday night.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban government, said the airstrike occurred at 9 p.m. (1630 GMT) on Monday and targeted the state-run Omid hospital, which he described as a 2,000-bed drug rehabilitation center.

“Large parts of the hospital have been destroyed, and there are fears of heavy casualties,” Fitrat said in a post on X. “Sadly, the number of those killed has so far reached 400, with up to 250 others injured.”

Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry said the Taliban claim amounted to “misreporting of facts”.

Islamabad launched a military operation against Afghanistan last month targeting what it said were militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.

The Taliban government denies involvement in cross-border militancy and rejects accusations that Afghan territory is being used to stage attacks.

Recent weeks have seen repeated clashes along the border, disrupting trade and forcing residents in nearby areas to leave their homes.

The latest escalation follows a series of tit-for-tat actions over the past year.

Islamabad has long said leaders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operate from Afghan territory, an allegation Kabul has repeatedly denied.

With additional input from Reuters