Pakistan targets TTP camps in Afghanistan

Pakistani fighter jets reportedly struck multiple training camps of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Tuesday in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Paktika.

As per reports, loud explosions were heard near the TTP training camps in the Barmal district of Paktika. Pakistan is yet to confirm carrying out the attack.

'Terrorist hideouts targeted'

Pakistan carried out air strikes inside Afghanistan to target "terrorist hideouts" across the border, a senior Pakistani security official told AFP on Wednesday.

"Pakistan carried out late-night air strikes targeting terrorist hideouts inside Afghanistan, utilizing a mix of jets and drones," the source said on the condition of anonymity.

'46 people killed'

The Taliban government spokesman said, "Pakistan airstrikes in an eastern border province of Afghanistan killed 46 people."

"Last night (Tuesday), Pakistan bombarded four points in the Barmal district of Paktika province. The total number of dead is 46, most of whom were children and women," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP.

He added that six more people were wounded, mostly children.

In a statement released Tuesday, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that the attacks occurred.

This evening, Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes in the Barmal district of Paktika province, reportedly targeting civilians, including refugees from Waziristan. The attacks resulted in multiple casualties, including children, the ministry stated.

Afghanistan condemned the strikes as a violation of international norms, labeling them as brutal acts. It warned that such actions were unjustified and ineffective in resolving issues. It emphasized its right to defend its land and citizens against such aggression.

"The Islamic Emirate will not let this act of cowardice go unanswered, Rather, it considers defending its territory and soil an inalienable right," the ministry stated in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's foreign office said it had summoned Pakistan's head of mission in Kabul to deliver a formal protest note to Islamabad on the air strikes, warning the diplomat of consequences of such actions.

"Afghanistan considers this brutal act a blatant violation of all international principles and an obvious act of aggression," Enayatullah Khowrazmi, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defence, said in a statement. "The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered."

The attacks came the same day Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq Khan, held separate discussions with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.

Hours before the airstrikes were reported, the meetings were being seen as the two countries' renewed commitment to addressing shared challenges.

During the meeting, Pakistan and Afghanistan pledged to enhance bilateral cooperation aimed at resolving tensions and promoting regional peace.

Border tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Taliban government seized power in 2021, with Islamabad claiming militant groups are carrying out regular attacks from Afghanistan.

Islamabad has accused Kabul's Taliban government of harboring militant fighters, allowing them to strike on Pakistani soil with impunity.

Kabul has denied the allegations.

Not the first time

On March 18, Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) acknowledged conducting "intelligence-based counterterrorism operations" in border areas of Afghanistan. This announcement followed Kabul's claim that airstrikes on its territory had resulted in eight fatalities.

According to the FO, the operation targeted militants from the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, linked to numerous attacks in Pakistan alongside the banned TTP.

The FO cited the attack on a security post in North Waziristan’s Mir Ali, where seven soldiers - including two officers - were killed, as justification for the operation.

*With additional input from AFP