Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan kill at least 13 people, Taliban official says

Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province killed at least 13 people, according to a Taliban official. The strikes occurred on December 24, 2024, targeting locations near the border. A Taliban spokesperson condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty. Pakistan has not officially acknowledged the strikes. The incident follows rising tensions between the two countries over cross-border militant activity. Pakistan has previously accused the Taliban of harboring groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban government has denied these allegations.

Global Impact

This event has significant geopolitical implications for South Asia. The airstrikes risk further straining Pakistan-Taliban relations, potentially undermining any counterterrorism cooperation.