Pakistan launched air strikes along its Afghan border on Wednesday, ending months of relative calm and reigniting one of South Asia’s most volatile frontiers.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said four targets were destroyed in “calibrated strikes” that killed 26 militants, hitting “hideouts and safe havens” including a training centre and an ammunition cache. He described the operation as a response to “recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan” and added: “Pakistan has always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority.”
Afghanistan’s Taliban government gave a sharply different account. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes hit targets in Kunar, Khost and Paktika provinces and killed 13 people, including “11 children, one woman, and one elderly man.” Kabul rejected Pakistan’s claim that it harbours militants and repeated its position that Afghan territory is not used to threaten other countries.
The exchange marks the first major military action between the two neighbours since heavy fighting in February that left hundreds dead. The countries had agreed to a ceasefire last October following weeks of border clashes; sporadic skirmishes have continued since.
The fresh escalation drew calls from international leaders for both sides to halt hostilities. Pakistan has long accused the Taliban government of sheltering militants behind cross-border attacks — a charge Kabul rejects.
Source: Ada Derana (BBC/Agencies).
The fresh hostilities add to regional instability in South Asia. Sri Lanka has tracked broader South Asian security trends closely — Sri Lanka ranked 67th in the 2026 Global Peace Index, remaining the second most peaceful country in South Asia. Both India and Pakistan naval vessels have separately called at Colombo Port this year.
