On June 28, 2026, Pakistan’s security forces conducted a ground operation near the Afghan border, resulting in the deaths of four militants in Bajaur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This operation was part of a broader response to a series of militant attacks targeting various regions, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, as well as the Pakistan Rangers headquarters in Karachi.

Following this operation, Pakistan executed precision air strikes during the night of June 28-29 under the banner of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. These strikes targeted militant camps in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces. According to Information Minister Atta Tarar, the air strikes neutralised 25 militants and destroyed three key targets, along with a cache of weapons and ammunition.

Tarar characterised the operation as a strategically planned response aimed at dismantling terrorist hideouts associated with groups such as Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Fitna-al-Khwarij, the latter being the term used for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its allies. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to bolster national security amid rising threats.

Diplomatic Tensions Between Islamabad and Kabul

In light of recent developments, Pakistan has formally summoned the charge d’affaires of Afghanistan, Sardar Ahmed Khan Shakeeb, to express its strong objection to the aforementioned attacks on the Pakistan Rangers headquarters. A spokesperson from the Foreign Office, Tahir Andrabi, confirmed that a diplomatic protest was lodged regarding the Karachi incident, which resulted in the deaths of three soldiers.

According to Pakistani authorities, an Afghan national, allegedly involved in the attack, was apprehended. This incident has raised suspicions regarding the Afghan territory being exploited for facilitating attacks on Pakistan. The incident in Karachi has been attributed to the banned Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which has claimed responsibility for the assault.

Pakistan’s military has indicated that its operation, commenced in February 2026, is a response to an increase in attacks directed at its forces from across the border. The ongoing violence has intensified the diplomatic strain between Islamabad and Kabul, with both sides exchanging accusations over responsibility for recent incursions.

Afghanistan’s Response to Allegations

The Afghan foreign ministry has reacted strongly to Pakistan’s accusations, asserting that the recent air strikes allegedly carried out by Pakistan resulted in civilian casualties in Kunar, Paktia, and Paktika provinces. The ministry claims that these strikes resulted in 36 civilian deaths, including women and children, and severe injuries to 163 others.

A spokesperson from the Afghan foreign ministry stated that the air raids violate international law and the sovereignty of Afghanistan. The ministry also condemned Pakistan’s claims linking Afghanistan to recent militant attacks, arguing that such assertions are an attempt to deflect attention from Pakistan’s internal security issues and undermine the relationship between the neighbouring countries.

The escalating situation has highlighted a worrying trend of rising militant attacks in Pakistan, with heightened security concerns affecting both nations. As diplomatic channels become increasingly strained, ongoing military operations and retaliatory measures may further complicate regional stability.

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