Overview

• Pakistan's airstrikes targeted alleged militant hideouts in Afghanistan's Paktika province, reportedly killing 46 people, including women and children, according to Afghan officials.
• The Afghan Taliban claims the victims were primarily Waziristani refugees, while Pakistan asserts the strikes aimed at Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bases.
• Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated, with Kabul accusing Islamabad of violating its sovereignty and promising consequences.
• Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring TTP militants responsible for recent attacks, including one that killed 16 Pakistani soldiers last week.
• The strikes occurred shortly after a Pakistani envoy met Afghan officials to discuss bilateral relations, further straining diplomatic ties.