Afghanistan vows response after Pakistani airstrikes kill three
by@Reuters
Summary
Pakistani airstrikes on September 21, 2026, have reportedly killed at least three civilians in Afghanistan's Kunar province, escalating tensions between the two neighbors that have seen strained relations over accusations of harboring militants. The airstrikes were said to be a response to recent Islamist militant attacks in Pakistan, including one that killed 24 people in a police facility, indicating a cycle of retaliation linked to mutual accusations of cross-border militancy. Afghanistan's Taliban government has denied harboring anti-Pakistan militants and has vowed to respond appropriately to what it describes as aggression.
Analysis
Pakistan: Pakistan maintains a large military force and has conducted cross-border operations against militant groups. The country carried out the reported airstrikes following recent attacks by Islamist militants inside its territory. Afghanistan: Afghanistan is the country governed by the Taliban administration in Kabul. Afghan officials reported Pakistani airstrikes hitting civilian targets in border provinces and pledged an appropriate response to the aggression. Hafiz Gul Bahadur: Hafiz Gul Bahadur is a warlord heading the Shura Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen militant group active in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region. His group claimed responsibility for a recent attack in Pakistan that preceded the airstrikes. Zabihullah Mujahid: Zabihullah Mujahid is the chief spokesman for Afghanistan's Taliban government. He publicly stated that the Afghan side would respond to the Pakistani airstrikes described in the news. Border Tensions: Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been strained for years due to mutual accusations over cross-border militancy. Militant Activity: Competing Islamist groups have intensified attacks inside Pakistan, prompting retaliatory military actions from Islamabad.
Categories
macropolitics