Pakistan launched a series of air strikes inside Afghan territory on Tuesday, targeting what it described as militant hideouts along the volatile border region. The operation, confirmed by Pakistani military sources, struck multiple locations in Khost and Kunar provinces. Afghan officials reported at least 12 civilian casualties, including women and children, a claim Pakistan has denied.
The strikes mark a sharp escalation in cross-border tensions. Pakistan’s move comes amid a spike in attacks by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from sanctuaries on Afghan soil. Islamabad has long pressed the Taliban-led government in Kabul to prevent militant groups from operating against it. The Taliban administration condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and warned of retaliation.
British Foreign Office sources expressed deep concern over the widening conflict. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that the airstrikes risk provoking a broader regional crisis. “The Taliban are under immense internal pressure, and any perception that Pakistan is infringing on Afghan sovereignty could trigger a violent response, not only against Pakistan but also against coalition interests in the region,” the official said.
The UK has maintained limited diplomatic engagement with the Taliban since their return to power in 2021, focused on humanitarian access and counterterrorism. London fears that escalating border hostilities could destabilise the region further, causing a new wave of displacement and providing fertile ground for extremist recruitment.
Analysts note that the Pakistani strikes represent a significant departure from recent policy. For months, Islamabad had pursued dialogue with the Taliban, but the resumption of TTP attacks appears to have exhausted diplomatic patience. The strikes also coincide with heightened Great Power competition in South Asia. China, a key ally of Pakistan, has invested heavily in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with security along the border a paramount concern. Beijing has called for restraint but stopped short of condemning the strikes.
The United States, which maintains over-the-horizon counterterrorism capabilities in Afghanistan, has not commented publicly. However, regional observers suggest Washington is concerned that the strikes could undermine the fragile Doha agreement and embolden ISIS-K, a common enemy of both Pakistan and the Taliban.
On the ground, the situation remains fluid. The Afghan Taliban have reinforced positions along the border and deployed additional troops to the affected provinces. Cross-border shelling was reported in several areas, with the Afghan Defence Ministry claiming to have killed several Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory fire – a claim Pakistan denies.
For now, the risk of a full-scale confrontation appears contained. Neither side wants an open war. But the strike has shattered what remained of trust between the two neighbours. The UK’s warning is a reminder that the consequences of this escalation could ripple far beyond the Hindu Kush.
