Overview
- Pakistan carried out ground operations and night air strikes in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar late Sunday and said three targets were destroyed and about 25–29 fighters were killed.
- The Afghan Taliban government reported dozens of civilian deaths and hundreds wounded, and the UN confirmed at least 28 civilians killed and 49 injured in the strikes.
- Pakistani officials framed the operations as a response to a Karachi attack that killed three paramilitary Rangers and that was claimed by Jamaat‑ul‑Ahrar.
- Islamabad announced new enforcement from July 10 to detain Afghan nationals without valid visas, a move likely to worsen displacement and humanitarian strain for refugees and host communities.
- The strikes add to months of tit‑for‑tat attacks tied to disputes over militant sanctuaries and the Durand Line, follow failed mediation efforts, and raise the risk of wider diplomatic and security escalation in the region.