Pakistan says its forces carried out airstrikes against militant targets near the Afghanistan border on September 21, 2026. Pakistani authorities said the strikes killed 28 militants and destroyed three targets.
Afghan authorities gave a different account. They said the strikes hit areas in Kunar and Paktika provinces and killed three civilians. Four other people were reportedly injured. The competing claims have added to already tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What happened | Pakistan carried out airstrikes against suspected militant targets in Afghanistan. |
| Where | Kunar and Paktika provinces, Afghanistan. |
| When | September 21, 2026. |
| Pakistan's claim | Pakistan said 28 militants were killed. |
| Afghanistan's claim | Afghan authorities reported 3 civilian deaths and 4 injuries. |
| Groups involved | Pakistan, Afghanistan's Taliban government and suspected TTP linked militants. |
| Current status | Pakistan and Afghanistan have issued different accounts of the strikes and casualties. |
| Why it matters | The strikes have increased tensions along the Pakistan Afghanistan border. |
Pakistan Afghanistan Strikes Spark Conflicting Claims
According to Pakistan, the operation destroyed three targets. One was described as a training center for suicide bombers. Pakistani authorities also said weapons and ammunition were destroyed.
Afghanistan reported a different outcome. Deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said Pakistani aircraft struck Nurgal district in Kunar and Barmal district in Paktika.
Fitrat said a house in Kunar was hit. He reported three civilian deaths and four injuries. Afghan officials also said strikes damaged a shop and an empty house in Paktika.
Pakistan Afghanistan Tensions Rise Again
The latest strikes followed several deadly incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Six Pakistani security personnel, including two army officers, were killed in a clash with militants in Hangu, according to reports. A separate attack in Kohat also caused significant casualties at a police compound.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Tehrik e Taliban Pakistan, commonly known as the TTP, of carrying out attacks from bases in Afghanistan.
Islamabad has also accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of allowing militant groups to operate from its territory. Kabul rejects those accusations.
Afghanistan Condemns Pakistan Airstrikes
Pakistan says its forces carried out a ground operation around Kohat and Hangu before launching the airstrikes. Pakistani authorities said nine militants died during the ground operation and claimed further losses during the airstrikes.
Afghan officials said the strikes hit residential property in Kunar. They reported three deaths within one family and four injuries.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated over repeated accusations involving militant activity along the border.
Pakistan says the TTP and allied groups use Afghan territory to plan attacks inside Pakistan. Afghanistan denies providing a safe haven for militants targeting Pakistan.
Cross border military action has occurred several times during 2026. The latest strikes ended a period of relative calm between the two countries, according to Reuters.
Pakistan Afghanistan Tensions Face Uncertain Future
Both sides are expected to maintain pressure over their competing security claims.
Further developments will depend on diplomatic contacts, security incidents and any additional military operations along the border.
The conflicting accounts remain unresolved. The strikes have added another serious episode to the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
