New Delhi: Pakistan’s armed forces have rejected the Taliban’s claim that they struck Afghan territory overnight on Monday and Tuesday (November 24‑25). The denial comes as a noticeably larger Pakistani military presence—troops, heavy artillery and drone patrols—is being positioned along the tense border line.
The statement raises doubts about the alleged bombings amid a surge in regional friction. It suggests the attacks could either be a false move, an act of misdirection, or an effort to ease tensions. Reports say the Durand Line now sees an increased deployment of artillery, troops and aerial surveillance, with the Pakistani side ready for a possible cross‑border operation following the air strikes in Khost, Paktika and Kunar provinces.
Both Afghan and Pakistani press outlets noted that Islamabad has publicly denied responsibility for the latest air raids. Regional media described the Pakistani military’s response as labeling the Afghan accusations “baseless”.
Army spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry was quoted on Tuesday saying Islamabad “never targets innocent civilians” and that the army “officially confirms its actions whenever it launches an attack.” He implied that the Taliban’s accusations might stem from internal rifts within the group.
A month earlier, Afghan Taliban fighters hit Pakistani border posts on October 11, which halted all trade and transit across the volatile Durand Line.
Pakistan’s comments came after Kabul accused Islamabad of violating Afghan airspace during a string of midnight‑to‑dawn strikes. The Taliban reported that the attacks killed 10 people—including nine children and a woman—in Khost, and wounded four civilians in Kunar and Paktika.
Calling the assault a breach of Afghanistan’s airspace and international norms, the Afghan side blamed Pakistan for the violation.
In the Afghanistan International news outlet, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid described the bombings as “aggression” and a crime, warning the Taliban would respond “appropriately” at their chosen moment. He added that the cross‑border attacks subvert established regional principles and that the group would not let such actions go unanswered, the report said.
Renewed troop movements and equipment deployments have been observed along several frontier sectors, including Chaman‑Spin Boldik, Angoor Adda, Kurram‑Nangahar and Torkham.
A social‑media post from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) mentioned the strike on its X handle but did not name the perpetrator. “At least 10 civilians were killed and six injured in airstrikes in Khost and Kunar provinces in #Afghanistan last night. Most of the victims were children. UNAMA again calls for respect for international law to protect civilians and prevent civilian harm,” it wrote on Tuesday. One user shared names, claiming, “These are the 10 civilians martyred by the Pakistani Military Regime’s airstrikes in Khost. Children, infants and a mother…” Another asked, “Why aren’t you saying WHO carried out the airstrikes?” asserting, “Pakistan did it.”
Reports indicate that Pakistani officials say they have carried out targeted operations near the border in recent days, framing them as counter‑terrorism actions linked to recent attacks inside their territory. These raids reportedly eliminated dozens of militants in Kurram and neighbouring districts.
Persistent skirmishes along the disputed line have forced intermittent closures of the border, disrupting one of the region’s key transit routes for landlocked Afghanistan.
Trade across the Afghanistan‑Pakistan border has been suspended since November 12, with Kabul urging the business community to find alternate routes. Regional mediators managed a temporary ceasefire between the two sides, but failed to agree on concrete steps for lasting peace, despite two consecutive meetings.
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