Pakistan conducts air strikes in Afghanistan amid drone attack row

Pakistan's military said it carried out air strikes in Afghanistan in response to drone attacks it attributed to militants operating from across the border. The Pakistani strikes targeted what officials described as militant positions, marking an escalation in cross-border tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

Taliban officials rejected Pakistani accusations, denying that their government was responsible for any drone strikes against Pakistan on September 23. The denial underscores the contentious relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban-led administration, which has struggled to prevent various militant groups from using Afghan territory.

Pakistan has long complained about cross-border militant activity originating from Afghanistan, particularly from the Pakistani Taliban and affiliated groups. The latest incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, with Islamabad maintaining that it reserves the right to conduct operations against threats emanating from Afghan territory.

The exchange comes as Pakistan continues efforts to combat militant insurgencies within its own borders while managing complex diplomatic relations with neighbouring Afghanistan. Officials in Islamabad said the air strikes were a necessary response to protect civilians and military personnel from ongoing attacks.