Taliban has vowed to retaliate after a Pakistani airstrike on its territory, which Pakistan claims was a strike on militant hideouts.
A statement issued by the Taliban said Pakistan had violated Afghanistan’s sovereignty and that Kabul reserves the right to respond. The timing and nature of any retaliation would be decided by the Taliban leadership, but the option of a response remains open, the statement said.
The Taliban leadership also held emergency meetings of senior Taliban leaders following the strike, which reports say were called for internal consultations on retaliatory strikes.
The Taliban has also accused Pakistan of violating a ceasefire agreement. According to sources, Kabul has informed mediating countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey about the developments.
According to Pakistan, the strikes were carried out along the border with Afghanistan at hideouts of Pakistani militants, which it blames for the recent attacks inside the country.
Reports said the Pakistan Air Force conducted the operation early Sunday morning using F-16 and JF-17 Thunder aircraft at multiple locations near the Durand Line. Explosions were heard in the Barmal district of Paktika province and in the Margha area. Missiles were fired at the Banusi madrasa in Barmal. In total, seven locations are said to have been targeted.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on X that the military conducted what he described as "intelligence-based, selective operations" against seven camps belonging to the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, and its affiliates. He said an affiliate of the Islamic State group was also targeted in the border region.
Tarar said Pakistan "has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region," but added that the safety and security of Pakistani citizens remained a top priority.
Pakistan had earlier also conducted strikes inside Afghanistan to target militant hideouts.
In October, Pakistan also conducted strikes deep inside Afghanistan to target militant hideouts. The conflict forced both countries to close their border crossings, disrupting trade and movement along the 2,600-km (1,600-mile) frontier.
Dozens were killed in clashes in October before the two sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire, but Pakistan continues to accuse Afghanistan's Taliban rulers of harbouring militants who stage attacks inside its territory - a claim Kabul denies.
