Pakistan conducted precision aerial and drone strikes on 10 locations across Afghanistan early on Thursday, according to Federal Information Minister Atauallah Tarar. The strikes were in response to drones launched from Afghanistan a day earlier and targeted locations allegedly used for launching and storing the drones. Tarar stated that the strikes were focused on military objectives linked to the attempted drone attacks and were deliberate, precise, calibrated, and proportionate.
The latest Pakistani strikes come amid continuing cross-border hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused the Pakistani military of targeting civilian areas and described the strikes as a repetition of what he called 'crimes' against Afghanistan. Mujahid reported that three civilians were killed and four others wounded in Kunar, while a house and a local shop were damaged in an attack in Paktika.
The strikes were carried out in response to drones launched from Afghanistan, which Pakistan considers a threat to its national security. According to Tarar, the targets were locations used for launching and storing drones, and the strikes were intended to prevent future attacks. The Pakistani military has been conducting strikes in Afghanistan in recent weeks, leading to a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has documented a significant civilian toll from cross-border violence. In its update covering April to June 2026, UNAMA reported 399 civilian casualties from cross-border armed violence, including 57 people killed and 342 injured. The casualties included 40 women and 112 children, and UNAMA attributed all cross-border civilian casualties in Afghanistan to Pakistani security forces.
The provinces of Paktya, Paktika, and Kunar recorded the largest number of civilian casualties from airstrikes, according to UNAMA. The UN mission had earlier reported that at least 28 civilians were killed and 49 injured in airstrikes carried out in these provinces on June 28. Women and children were among those killed and injured, and Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed that Pakistani security forces had conducted strikes in the three provinces.
The latest escalation in cross-border hostilities has strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid vowed an 'appropriate response' to Pakistani airstrikes in Kunar and Paktika provinces, and the Afghan government has condemned the strikes as a repetition of 'crimes' against Afghanistan. The situation remains tense, with both sides accusing each other of aggression.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalation in cross-border hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The United Nations has called for restraint and urged both sides to engage in dialogue to resolve their differences peacefully. The situation remains volatile, and it is unclear how the conflict will unfold in the coming days and weeks.
Key points
- Pakistan conducted drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan in response to drones launched from Afghan territory.
- The strikes were focused on military objectives linked to the attempted drone attacks and were intended to prevent future attacks.
- The cross-border hostilities have resulted in significant civilian casualties, with 399 reported in April-June 2026 alone.
