Pakistan Launches Fresh Attacks Inside Afghanistan Amid Rising Tensions

"Pakistan said it carried out cross-border strikes on seven militant sites inside Afghanistan in a "retributive response" to recent suicide attacks claimed by Afghan-backed extremists, as tensions escalated between the two South Asian neighbors. Pakistan "has carried out intelligence-based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts," the Information Ministry said early on February 22. Islamabad said it had "conclusive evidence" that recent attacks inside Pakistan were carried out by Afghan-based Pakistani Taliban extremists who were allegedly acting on instructions from "their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers.""

"But Afghan officials said that "dozens of people" had been killed and injured in the country's Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, "including women and children." The claims from either side could not immediately be verified. The renewed violence comes after hopes had been raised for an easing of tensions days earlier, when Kabul released three Pakistani soldiers in a Saudi-mediated move following months of border clashes in the remote regions."

Pakistan carried out cross-border strikes on seven militant sites inside Afghanistan, describing the action as a retributive response to recent suicide attacks. Islamabad said intelligence showed Afghan-based Pakistani Taliban extremists, allegedly directed by Afghanistan-based leadership, were responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Afghan officials reported dozens killed and injured in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, including women and children, though those claims could not be independently verified. At least four recent suicide attacks in Pakistan killed dozens in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad. Afghanistan denies sheltering the Pakistani Taliban. Tensions rose despite Kabul releasing three Pakistani soldiers in a Saudi-mediated move after months of border clashes.

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