Overview

• Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry accused Pakistan of carrying out a blast near Kabul’s Abdul Haq Square and a separate strike in Paktika, calling the actions unprecedented and warning of consequences.
• Pakistan’s military spokesman said Afghan territory is being used to launch attacks on Pakistan and vowed necessary measures to protect citizens, but he declined to directly confirm any operation in Afghanistan.
• Explosions and bursts of gunfire were reported in Kabul late Thursday, with Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid initially calling it an accident under investigation and reporting no confirmed casualties or damage.
• The latest tensions follow an intelligence-led operation and reported ambush in Pakistan’s northwest that left 11 soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel and a major, dead, with the army saying dozens of militants were killed.
• Unverified claims that TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud was targeted in Kabul remained unconfirmed, with reports citing an audio message in which he denied being killed, while Pakistani authorities imposed security measures including an internet shutdown in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.