Pakistan launched airstrikes and ground operations on June 28 along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, targeting militant hideouts in Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces in Afghanistan [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said 25 to 29 militants were killed during the operations. He added, "Three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed during precision strikes. The operations killed 25 to 29 militants, targeting militant groups including Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, in response to recent terrorist attacks against innocent people." [1] The militants targeted included factions linked to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government strongly condemned the strikes as a "cowardly act of aggression." Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "These air strikes have killed or wounded dozens of civilians in multiple provinces." Afghan officials reported at least 36 civilians killed and more than 160 injured, including multiple impacts on civilian homes [1, 2, 8, 7, 9]. The village of Mandikhel in Chamkani district, Paktika province, was especially hard hit. Afghan civilian Bismillah Khan described the devastation: "There were only women and children inside the house. I do not know why our home became a target. My wife and daughter were killed, and many family members wounded." [9]

The strikes followed a militant attack in Karachi on June 27 that killed three paramilitary Rangers personnel and involved four attackers. Pakistani authorities said one Afghan national linked to the attack was arrested. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for that assault [1, 3, 4, 6]. Pakistani officials justified the cross-border operation as retaliation for terrorist attacks on its soil and accused Afghan-based militant groups allied with the TTP of harboring militants [1, 2, 4, 5, 6].

Afghanistan rejected Pakistan’s claims that militants operated freely from its territory, accusing Pakistan of conducting unprovoked attacks causing civilian deaths [1, 2, 3, 6]. The two countries had agreed to a ceasefire between October 2023 and March 2026 following weeks of deadly clashes, but it collapsed amid intermittent attacks and counterstrikes [1, 2, 3, 6].

Pakistan denied targeting civilians in the operation [1, 3, 6], while Afghan officials maintained the civilian toll was severe. [2, 8, 7, 9]. The situation remains tense following the hostile exchanges between the neighbors.

The latest Pakistani operation represents the most significant cross-border strike since the ceasefire collapsed earlier this year.