Pakistan Strikes Afghan Border Areas, Killing Civilians After Kohat Attack

Key points

• Pakistan launched air strikes in Nurgal district, Kunar province, and Barmal district, Paktika province, in eastern Afghanistan around 3 a.m. local time on Monday.
• Afghan deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat confirmed three family members were killed and four injured in Kunar; strikes in Paktika destroyed a shop and an unoccupied house with no casualties.
• Pakistan’s Information Ministry stated that 28 terrorists were killed in the strikes and warned of further action if attacks continue.
• The strikes followed a suicide bombing at a police compound in Kohat, Pakistan, on Friday that killed at least 21 people, mostly police officers, and injured over 100.
• Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul to lodge a formal protest, condemning the strikes as a violation of national sovereignty.
• Pakistan accused the Afghan Taliban government of sheltering Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and called on Kabul to dismantle militant sanctuaries.

Background

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated since February 2026, when the two countries fought their worst clashes in years. The dispute centers on Pakistan’s accusation that Afghanistan harbors armed groups, particularly the TTP, which stages cross-border attacks. Afghanistan has consistently denied these claims, labeling the violence an internal Pakistani issue. In September 2026, a suicide bombing at a mosque in Kohat killed at least 21 people, intensifying security fears and prompting Pakistan to warn of potential strikes inside Afghanistan. This latest exchange marks a significant escalation after nearly three months of relative calm.

How outlets are covering it

AP News and Al Jazeera agree on the core facts: Pakistan conducted air strikes in eastern Afghanistan, killing at least three civilians in Kunar province. However, they differ in emphasis and detail. AP News highlights the diplomatic fallout, noting that Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires to protest the strikes as a violation of sovereignty. Al Jazeera focuses more on the immediate human cost, citing Kunar provincial spokesperson Farid Dehqan, and notes that the strikes threaten to reignite tensions after a period of relative calm. Both sources attribute the strikes to Pakistan’s response to the Kohat attack, but AP News provides more detail on Pakistan’s Information Ministry’s claim that 28 terrorists were killed, while Al Jazeera emphasizes the Afghan government’s denial of harboring militants. Neither source reports on any official claim of responsibility for the Kohat attack by the TTP, though both note suspicion falls on the group.

Why it matters

The strikes mark a significant escalation in the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict, risking a broader regional instability. The cross-border violence underscores the ongoing dispute over militant sanctuaries and the failure of diplomatic channels to resolve the issue. The civilian casualties in Afghanistan have prompted a formal diplomatic protest, potentially straining relations further. The strikes also highlight the challenges faced by both countries in addressing internal security threats without exacerbating cross-border tensions. The situation may influence regional diplomacy and security cooperation, particularly given the involvement of groups like the TTP, which has intensified attacks in Pakistan in recent years.

What to watch

Afghanistan is expected to continue diplomatic protests against Pakistan, potentially escalating the dispute. Pakistan may conduct further strikes if it perceives continued militant activity from Afghan soil. The TTP may claim responsibility for the Kohat attack, though no group has done so yet. Regional actors, including the US and other neighboring countries, may seek to mediate or impose pressure on both sides to de-escalate. The situation could lead to increased cross-border violence, further straining relations between the two countries and potentially affecting regional stability.