Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes in Eastern Afghanistan

Pakistan's recent airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan's Paktika province reportedly killed at least 46 people, mostly women and children, according to Taliban officials. The strikes targeted alleged camps of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Barmal district and were condemned by the Afghan defense ministry as 'barbaric' aggression, asserting the Taliban's right to defend its territory. Pakistani security sources, however, claimed that the strikes successfully eliminated over 71 militants, including key commanders, while denying civilian casualties and alleging misinformation from Afghan and Indian media. The airstrikes come amid escalating tensions between the two countries, exacerbated by recent militant attacks on Pakistani soil. This operation follows a failed diplomatic effort to ease relations, as high-ranking Taliban officials had met with Pakistani representatives just hours before the strikes took place. Both sides continue to blame each other for harboring militants, deepening the ongoing conflict in the region.