Afghanistan Claims Airstrikes on ISIS-Linked Targets in Pakistan

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence on Wednesday claimed that its forces carried out airstrikes against alleged ISIS-linked targets in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

According to the Afghan Ministry, the strikes were conducted on Tuesday night targeting what it described as ISIS facilities allegedly involved in planning attacks and carrying out sabotage activities against Afghanistan.

Statement by Ministry

In a statement, the Ministry said Afghan air forces targeted an ISIS-linked centre in the Saranan area of Pishin district in Balochistan.

The ministry claimed it  was being used as a coordination hub for attacks in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Defence Ministry also said airstrikes were carried out against alleged Daesh centres in Qambar Khel area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Garam Chashma area of Chitral’s Shah Salim Valley.

The Ministry claimed that the operations caused heavy casualties and financial losses to ISIS and its supporters, while asserting that the strikes were carried out with precision and resulted in no civilian casualties.

“Afghan air defence forces will target any location used to disrupt Afghanistan’s security,” the Ministry said.

Rising Afghan-Pak Tensions

The development comes days after Taliban officials accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes inside Afghanistan that allegedly killed 36 civilians, including women and children, and injured 163 others in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces.

Following the incident, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul and lodged a strong protest over the alleged violation of Afghan airspace and attacks on civilian areas.

The Afghan government described the strikes as a violation of international and humanitarian law, further escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries.