Pakistan strikes Kabul and Kandahar as Afghan Taliban escalate cross-border attacks

Pakistani authorities say they launched strikes on Kabul, Kandahar and other areas in response to cross-border attacks, and the Afghan Taliban says it carried out a large-scale retaliatory operation; both sides have disputed each other’s casualty claims.

Pakistani authorities reported strikes on Kabul, Kandahar and other provinces after accusing the Afghan Taliban of cross-border attacks. The Taliban said it had launched a large-scale retaliatory operation in response to earlier strikes. Each side has accused the other of initiating the violence and both have issued conflicting casualty claims. Witnesses reported aircraft and explosions over parts of Kabul. Known details: - Pakistan said it carried out counter-strikes on Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, saying the moves responded to what it described as unprovoked Afghan attacks. - The Afghan Taliban said it launched a retaliatory operation after strikes earlier in the week, and said earlier attacks had killed people; Taliban spokesmen gave public accounts of the operation. - Both sides have disputed the other’s claims about casualties and captures; Pakistani authorities denied Taliban assertions of killed or captured soldiers. - A senior Pakistani official posted publicly that tensions had reached a new level, and witnesses reported fighter jets and explosions in parts of Kabul. Summary: The exchanges have raised tensions along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border and revived concerns about further escalation. Undetermined at this time.