Overview
- Pakistan announced overnight strikes that it said destroyed three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar and killed about 25 fighters from the Jamaat‑ul‑Ahrar faction.
- Afghan Taliban officials reported that the strikes killed 36 civilians and wounded 163 people and said a second strike hit rescuers, creating a higher civilian toll.
- The Pakistani government told reporters the operation followed a deadly attack on a Rangers camp in Karachi and included cross‑border ground operations in border areas.
- The incident is the latest in a months‑long pattern of Pakistani bombardments into eastern Afghanistan that has closed much of the border and stalled mediation efforts.
- The strikes increase risks for civilians and refugees, may spur further expulsions or restrictions on Afghans in Pakistan, and raise the chance of renewed cycles of retaliation between the two neighbors.