Afghanistan has warned it will deliver an “appropriate response” after cross-border air strikes by Pakistan killed at least 17 people and left several others missing, sharply escalating tensions between the neighbouring countries.
Afghan officials told Al Jazeera the strikes hit civilian areas in the eastern provinces, damaging residential homes and a religious school. Local authorities reported casualties that included women and children, while rescue teams and residents searched through debris for those feared trapped beneath the rubble.
In a statement, Afghanistan’s defence ministry condemned the raids as a violation of its sovereignty and international law, accusing Pakistani forces of targeting non-military locations. The ministry said Kabul would respond “in due course” but did not specify what actions it might take.
Islamabad, however, defended the operation, saying it targeted “camps and hideouts” of armed groups responsible for a recent surge in violence inside Pakistan. Officials described the strikes as intelligence-led and selective, aimed at dismantling infrastructure used by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and associated factions.
Pakistani authorities maintain that fighters linked to the group have used Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks, including suicide bombings and assaults on security forces in recent weeks. Kabul has repeatedly denied allowing its soil to be used for cross-border militancy and rejected the allegations as baseless.
The latest violence has raised fears for a fragile ceasefire negotiated after deadly clashes along the border last year that killed soldiers, civilians and suspected fighters on both sides. Analysts warn that renewed military action risks undermining already strained diplomatic engagement and could trigger another cycle of retaliation.
On the ground, residents described scenes of panic following the overnight bombardment, with families fleeing damaged homes and volunteers assisting emergency responders. Aid officials said the final toll could rise as search efforts continue in affected districts.
The developments come amid a broader deterioration in relations, with both governments accusing each other of failing to curb armed groups operating near the frontier. Pakistan says it has repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to act against militants, while Kabul insists security issues should be resolved through dialogue rather than force.
