Pakistan’s military has carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, targeting what it described as militant hideouts linked to recent attacks inside Pakistan, including a deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the “intelligence-based, selective operations” struck seven camps belonging to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates, as well as an affiliate of the so-called Islamic State group. Islamabad claimed it had “conclusive evidence” that recent attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu were directed by Afghanistan-based leadership.

However, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence condemned the strikes, saying they hit a religious school and residential homes in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, causing dozens of casualties, including women and children. Afghan sources told Al Jazeera that at least 17 people were killed in Nangarhar alone.

The cross-border strikes came hours after a suicide bombing targeted a security convoy in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing two soldiers. Earlier this month, an attack at the Khadija Tul Kubra mosque in Islamabad killed at least 31 worshippers, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility.

Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have remained high despite a fragile ceasefire brokered by Qatar in October. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities of allowing the TTP to operate from its soil , a charge Kabul denies.

Afghan officials warned they would respond to what they called a violation of international law, raising concerns that the latest escalation could further strain already fragile ties between the two neighbours.

BOB Post