Pakistan Airstrikes Hit Afghanistan Cities
Pakistan’s military carried out a series of airstrikes across major cities in Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul, in a significant escalation of cross-border hostilities between the neighbouring countries. Pakistani officials said the strikes were aimed at militant targets, while Afghan authorities reported explosions and anti-aircraft fire in urban areas as tensions soared.
Pakistan Airstrikes Hit Kabul And Kandahar
Pakistan’s armed forces launched aerial bombardments on Afghan territory early on Friday, with warplanes targeting strategic locations in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia provinces. Explosions and overhead aircraft activity were reported by local residents and observers in the Afghan capital and the southern city of Kandahar as anti-aircraft fire was heard responding to the strikes. The Pakistani government described the operation as a response to what it characterised as ongoing security threats emanating from Afghan soil.
Cross-Border Conflict Escalation Along Durand Line
The airstrikes follow renewed clashes along the disputed Durand Line border, where Afghan and Pakistani forces have been engaged in intermittent fighting. Officials on both sides accused each other of initiating aggression, with Pakistan asserting that militant groups based in Afghanistan have conducted cross-border attacks on its military outposts. Afghan authorities confirmed that their forces had engaged Pakistani troops in recent exchanges of fire, adding to the surge in hostilities.
Impact On Civilians And Diplomatic Tensions
Reports indicated that the strikes affected both military and populated areas, with local observers citing damage and heightened security measures in Afghan cities. The escalation threatens to undermine fragile diplomatic channels and ceasefire efforts, with international calls for restraint as civilian safety concerns rise amid ongoing confrontations between the two neighbours.
