The recent Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province have once again highlighted the fragile and increasingly strained relationship between the two neighboring countries. Late on Tuesday night, Pakistani military jets and drones targeted alleged hideouts of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Barmal district, following a surge in cross-border militant attacks. These strikes, which reportedly resulted in 46 casualties, including women and children, have triggered sharp reactions from the Afghan Taliban government and raised concerns about the escalating security situation in the region.
The Pakistani military’s decision to target TTP hideouts in Afghanistan came after a deadly attack in South Waziristan, where at least 16 Pakistani soldiers were killed in an ambush claimed by the TTP. This incident was part of a broader pattern of escalating militant violence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, which Islamabad attributes to sanctuaries provided by the Afghan Taliban to TTP fighters.
Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq, had been in Kabul just hours before the strikes, meeting with Afghan interim Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. While these discussions were reportedly aimed at trust-building and addressing Pakistan’s security concerns, the air raids signaled Islamabad’s growing frustration with what it perceives as Kabul’s inaction against the TTP.
The Taliban government has strongly condemned the strikes, with Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid describing them as a violation of Afghan sovereignty. The Afghan Defence Ministry labeled the strikes as “barbaric” and warned that such actions would not go unanswered. Reports suggest that among the 46 casualties, a significant number were women and children, and entire families were wiped out in the bombardment.
Afghan officials claimed that many of those killed were refugees who had fled violence in Pakistan’s Waziristan region. Civilians in the targeted areas reported widespread devastation, with homes reduced to rubble and survivors struggling to access medical care.
The TTP remains at the heart of Pakistan’s security concerns. With an estimated 6,500 fighters operating from Afghan soil, the TTP has launched numerous deadly attacks in Pakistan over the past two years. Despite repeated assurances from Kabul that Afghan soil will not be used for cross-border attacks, Islamabad believes that the Afghan Taliban are either unwilling or unable to curb TTP activities.
During a recent United Nations Security Council briefing, Pakistan emphasized the growing threat posed by the TTP and urged the international community to hold Afghanistan accountable for harboring militant groups.
Paktika province, where the strikes occurred, holds significant strategic value due to its proximity to Pakistan’s South and North Waziristan regions. Its rugged terrain and porous border have long provided a haven for militants, enabling them to move undetected across the border.
The province’s geography has made it a focal point for both Pakistani and Afghan military operations over the years. However, despite repeated offensives, militants continue to exploit the region’s difficult terrain and the lack of effective border management.
Pakistan’s air strikes can be seen as both a tactical and strategic response to the growing security threat posed by the TTP. Domestically, these actions are aimed at appeasing public pressure and demonstrating the military’s resolve to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty. Internationally, Islamabad seeks to send a strong message to Kabul that harboring anti-Pakistan militants is unacceptable.
The strikes also come amid broader regional complexities. The United States, China, and other stakeholders have a vested interest in the stability of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. For China, security in this region is critical to its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), while the U.S. remains focused on preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for transnational terrorism.
The air strikes have further eroded trust between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban government. While the two sides have historically maintained close ties, their relationship has been marred by mistrust and conflicting priorities. Afghanistan views such air strikes as violations of its sovereignty, while Pakistan sees them as necessary counterterrorism measures.
Security analysts argue that Pakistan’s approach remains reactive rather than strategic. Without a clear and long-term policy framework, cross-border air strikes may only serve to inflame tensions and provoke retaliatory attacks by the TTP.
The recent escalation underscores the urgent need for a more structured and sustained dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul. Both sides must address their mutual security concerns while avoiding actions that risk further destabilizing the region.
For Pakistan, the challenge lies in balancing military action with diplomatic engagement. Meanwhile, the Taliban government must demonstrate a genuine commitment to curbing the activities of militant groups operating from Afghan soil.
In the absence of a coherent strategy and mutual cooperation, the cycle of violence and retaliation is likely to continue, with devastating consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire.
