Afghanistan’s Taliban carried out airstrikes against ISIS militants in Pakistan, specifically targeting facilities used for planning assaults. Pakistan claimed to have intercepted drones and criticized Taliban for misleading their citizens amidst escalating tensions and violence along the border.
Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban on Wednesday said that its forces carried out airstrikes targeting ISIS militants in neighbouring Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Kabul-based TOLO News, citing sources, reported that the drone strikes were carried out on ISIS positions and facilities used to coordinate airstrikes against civilians in Afghanistan along the border.
Afghanistan hits ISIS targets in Pakistan
A school in the Saranan area, which was allegedly being used by ISIS and groups described as “agents of chaos and violence,” was targeted in the drone strikes, the report said.
The regional IS branch, Islamic State-Khorasan, has claimed responsibility for attacks in Afghanistan in recent years that have killed civilians.
What Pakistan said
Pakistan also confirmed the strikes, but claimed that it shot down ‘four rudimentary drones’ launched from across the border into Balochistan.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the hostile aerial platforms were immediately detected by Pakistan’s robust air defence network.
“Demonstrating a high level of operational readiness, the security forces successfully neutralised all four incoming drones using sophisticated countermeasures. As a result of the swift and effective response, the hostile attempts were successfully foiled,” ISPR said.
Pakistan, which nurtured and sheltered the Taliban following their ouster in 2001 until the insurgent group regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, accused the hardline Islamists of misleading Afghan people who are “suffering under its oppressive rule”
“Such actions by the Afghan Taliban regime appear to be aimed at misleading the Afghan population, which continues to suffer under its oppressive rule. The Taliban should realise that such irresponsible behaviour only adds to the hardships faced by the Afghans, the ISPR statement added.
Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan
The airstrike by Afghanistan came days after strikes by Pakistan on its border with Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s security forces said they had killed at least 29 militants in ground and air operations along the Afghanistan border, while the Afghan Taliban said at least 38 civilians had been killed in airstrikes.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harbouring militants it blames for plotting attacks in Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban denies the accusations, saying militancy is Pakistan’s internal problem.
In response to the airstrikes, the Afghan government on Monday issued a “strong and resolute protest” to the Pakistani Charge d’Affaires in Kabul.
According to a statement issued by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X, the Afghan side summoned the Pakistani diplomat and conveyed its protest over what it described as a violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and the bombing of civilian homes in Kunar, Paktia and Paktika provinces.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul and presented him with its strong and resolute protest regarding the violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and the bombing of civilian homes in the provinces of Kunar, Paktia, and Paktika,” the statement read.
About the Author
Bobins Vayalil Abraham
Bobins loves telling the human side of all stories, from the intersection of geopolitics, international relations, and conflicts around the world. In his nearly one-and-a-half-decade career as a journalist, Bobins has covered South Asia, the Middle East, and North America, from elections to mass protests and conflicts.
Bobins has also done extensive reporting on environmental issues, climate change, and sustainability, focusing on solutions and people working to make the planet a better place to live.
In 2018, Bobins was awarded by Times Internet for the impact of his story on Delhi tree cuttings. Bobins also loves telling the stories of Indian startups and the journey of their founders.
Total Years of Experience: 14
Years of experience at LM: Bobins has been a part of Live Mint since February 2026
Interests: When he is not tracking conflicts, Bobins loves to cook, travel across India, click photos, and watch documentaries on history. Past Experience: Before joining Live Mint, Bobins worked with The Indian Express, where he led the Global Breaking News coverage, Indiatimes, where he led the news team, covering everything trending, ANI, where the focus of his coverage was South Asia, and NBS News.
Current Role: Bobins is currently working as an Assistant Editor at Live Mint.
