Pakistan confirmed on Thursday, September 24, that it carried out aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan, marking a new escalation in tensions between the neighbours. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the targets were sites Islamabad alleges were used to launch or store drones sent into Pakistan a day earlier. That allegation has not been independently verified.
Afghan media and local sources reported strikes in Kandahar, Khost and Paktia. Amu TV cited the Taliban governor spokesman in Khost as saying areas in Gurbuz, Ismail Khel and Mandozai districts and near the provincial capital were struck, with no casualties reported there. Local sources also reported a strike in Kandahar city and an attack on part of the Taliban 203rd Mansoori Corps compound in Paktia.
Tarar described the Pakistani operation as calibrated and limited to military objectives. Islamabad says eight drones entered Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan on Wednesday and were intercepted. Afghan authorities have previously rejected Pakistani accusations that Afghan territory is being used for attacks on Pakistan.
Pajhwok Afghan News separately reported strikes in Khost and Kandahar and said no casualties had immediately been reported. The latest operation follows Pakistani strikes in Kunar and Paktika earlier this week. UNAMA confirmed three civilians from one family were killed and four people wounded in an apparent strike in Kunar.
The complete list of the 10 locations, the exact targets and the full extent of any damage from Thursday’s strikes remain unclear. Further reporting will be needed to establish casualties, damage and the full target list.