In brief
Afghan officials say the Taliban fired on Pakistani border targets, wounding several people in South‑west Balochistan. Pakistan’s military shot down four drones and warned of a strong reply. The shelling follows a Sunday airstrike by Islamabad that killed 28 civilians and has rattled the region after a truce signed in October. Both sides blame each other for harbingers of terror, with Kabul calling the Pakistani act a “cowardly act” and an “atrocity.” Recent months have seen intermittent skirmishes, March’s strike on a Kabul rehab centre, and June’s deadly raids that killed militants and civilians alike.
Afghan officials claim the Taliban carried out strikes on Pakistani border targets, injuring several people in Balochistan.
The Pakistani army reports it shot down four rudimentary drones and has warned that any further provocation will receive a “befitting response.”
These clashes followed a Sunday airstrike by Pakistan that UN figures say killed 28 civilians, reigniting tensions after a ceasefire was signed in October.
Pakistan has long accused the Taliban of harbouring militants that attack its soil—claims the Afghan government rejects—while Kabul has alleged Islamabad’s unprovoked strikes kill civilians.
The Pakistani operation also targeted militant hideouts in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces, claiming 29 fighters dead. The Afghan government describes the Sunday attack as an “atrocity” that hit civilian homes, with 36 dead and over 160 injured.
Border fighting has escalated in recent months: February saw dozens killed, March’s strike on a Kabul drug rehab centre killed hundreds and June’s deadly raids killed 26 militants, allegedly costing at least 13 civilians, largely children.
For more context, see BBC’s in‑depth piece on the long‑running conflict: Why Afghanistan and Pakistan are fighting?
