Kabul
The Afghan Defence Ministry has reportedly conducted overnight airstrikes targeting Islamic State (ISIS) positions in Pakistan, marking a significant escalation in cross-border military activity between the two countries.
According to initial reports cited by ANI News, the strikes were carried out against suspected ISIS-linked infrastructure across the border, though full operational details and official confirmation from Islamabad were not immediately available.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have seen repeated cross-border strikes, retaliatory operations and accusations over militant safe havens in recent months. Both sides have frequently accused each other of hosting or enabling armed groups operating along the porous Durand Line.
The Afghan Defence Ministry has in earlier statements claimed that its military actions are aimed at eliminating threats posed by ISIS and other extremist networks that operate in the region. Pakistan, however, has previously denied allegations that it provides sanctuary to such groups and has maintained that its own security operations are focused on countering militancy within its borders.
The latest reported airstrikes add to an already volatile security environment, with multiple incidents of aerial and ground engagements reported throughout 2026. International observers have repeatedly called for restraint, warning that continued escalation could destabilise the broader South Asian region and complicate ongoing counter-terror cooperation efforts.
ISIS, particularly its regional affiliate Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP), has remained active in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan, carrying out attacks against civilians and security forces. Both governments have stated that counter-terrorism remains a key national priority, though they differ sharply on methods and attribution of responsibility.
No independent verification of casualties or exact locations of the reported strikes has been confirmed so far, and official statements from Pakistan are awaited.