2024 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

It has been suggested that this article be merged into 2024 Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes. (Discuss) Proposed since December 2024.

|

Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

Part of the insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghanistan–Pakistan skirmishes
Location| Barmal District, Paktika Province, Afghanistan
Date| 25 December 2024; 5 days ago (2024-12-25)
2:00–3:00 a.m. (AFT, UTC+04:30)
Target| Pakistani Taliban

Attack type

| Airstrikes
Deaths| 46[1][2]

* v
* t
* e

Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(North-West Pakistan)

* Wana
* Sunrise
* Mirali
* Rah-e-Haq
* Earthquake
* Righteous Path
* Sherdil
* Angur Ada
* Black Thunderstorm
* Rah-e-Raast
* Janbaz
* Khyber Pass
* Rah-e-Nijat
* Khwakh Ba De Sham
* Mohmand
* Neptune Spear
* Koh-e-Sufaid
* Zarb-e-Azb
* Khyber
* Ghazi
* Radd-ul-Fasaad
* Zinghara
* Bannu

American airstrikes
Damadola
Chenagai
Dande Darpakhel
Miramshah
Baghar China
Laghman
Shrawangai Nazarkhel
Datta Khel
Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan:

* Spera and Shultan

* * *

* Afghanistan–Pakistan border skirmishes (since 2003)
* Pakistan–United States skirmishes (2008–2012)
* 2009 refugee crisis in Pakistan

On 25 December 2024, the Pakistani military conducted predawn airstrikes on multiple targets in Afghanistan's Paktika Province.[3] Afghan officials said the attacks killed at least 47 civilians and injured 23 others. Initial reports described the attacks as either rocket strikes or aerial strikes carried out by several Pakistan Air Force aircraft, with Afghan officials claiming that the operation involved Pakistani military helicopters and jets. Pakistani officials initially denied the airstrikes were carried out by Pakistan, but later confirmed that drone strikes were involved, originating from inside Pakistani airspace. Some reports also mentioned that parts of Paktika Province were targeted.[4].[5]

## Reactions

[edit]

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan confirmed the airstrikes, but its spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that civilians, including children, had been killed and injured during the strikes. The Taliban condemned the attacks and vowed retaliation.

The Pakistani government, while not immediately commenting on the civilian casualties, reiterated its stance that the airstrikes were aimed at eradicating TTP safe havens in Afghanistan and protecting Pakistani civilians. Pakistani authorities have long accused the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the TTP and enabling cross-border terrorism.

Internationally, the airstrikes have drawn mixed reactions, with some analysts supporting Pakistan's right to self-defense, while others condemned the strikes for causing civilian casualties. These attacks are seen as part of the broader instability in the region following the Taliban's return to power and the shifting dynamics between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the TTP.[6]

This marks the third airstrike launched by Pakistan on Afghan soil since the fall of Kabul.[7][8]

## See also

[edit]

* 2022 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan
* Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
* Afghanistan–Pakistan relations
* Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Pakistan air strikes kill 46 in Afghanistan - Taliban spokesman
2. ^ PAF airstrike kill 46 insurgents in Afghanistan - Taliban spokesperson
3. ^ 15 Killed In Pakistani Airstrikes In Afghanistan, Taliban Vows To Retaliate
4. ^ Pakistan airstrikes kill 46 in Afghanistan
5. ^ "Pakistan strikes TTP camps in Afghanistan". Dawn. 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
6. ^ Yawar, Mohammad Yunus (2024-12-25). "Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan kill 46 people, Taliban official says". Reuters. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
7. ^ Gul, Ayaz (2024-12-25). "Taliban allege Pakistani military strikes kill dozens in Afghanistan". Voice of America. Retrieved 2024-12-25.
8. ^ "Taliban government says Pakistani airstrikes caused civilian casualty in Afghanistan". www.connectedtoindia.com. 2024-12-25. Retrieved 2024-12-25.

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template