Pakistani army eliminates 13 militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa operations Airstrikes in Afghanistan spark tensions

The Pakistani Army has conducted three counterterrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulting in the elimination of at least 13 militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan's armed forces.

The operations, which targeted members of the banned group "Fitna al-Khawarij" (formerly "Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan"), were carried out in the Bannu, North Waziristan, and South Waziristan districts on the night of December 26, 2024, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The ISPR confirmed the neutralisation of 13 terrorists and injuries to 16 others. However, the operations also claimed the life of one Pakistani soldier. The military described these actions as part of its ongoing efforts to eliminate extremist threats in the region.

Meanwhile, cross-border tensions escalated as airstrikes conducted by the Pakistani Air Force in Afghanistan's Paktika province reportedly resulted in significant civilian casualties. According to Nurullah Nuri, Acting Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs in the Taliban-led interim Afghan government, the strikes in Barmal district caused substantial destruction and loss of life.

"Based on what we observed at the incident site and learned from eyewitness accounts, we currently have information about 51-52 fatalities, around 40 injuries, and four to five destroyed houses," said Nuri. He further alleged that the airstrikes targeted refugees who had been repatriated by Pakistan from North and South Waziristan districts.

Nuri issued a strong warning, stating that Pakistan's actions "will not go unanswered."

The Taliban’s Ministry of Defence also condemned the airstrikes, emphasising that they violated international norms. "The actions of the Pakistani Armed Forces do not resolve any issues," the ministry stated, referring to similar attacks on terrorist bases earlier in March this year.

These latest strikes occurred just hours after Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan, met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister, in Kabul. The discussions, intended to address growing tensions, took place against a backdrop of strained relations marked by increased border clashes and persistent terrorist attacks in Pakistan, allegedly launched by militants based in Afghanistan.