Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions deepen as Taliban claims cross-border strikes

Afghanistan's Taliban government on Tuesday claimed it had carried out airstrikes inside Pakistan, while Islamabad said it had intercepted and shot down four rudimentary drones that entered its airspace over the southwestern province of Balochistan.

The exchange marks the latest escalation in a series of cross-border clashes between the two neighbouring countries, whose ties have deteriorated sharply in recent months over militant violence and border security.

Afghanistan's Defence Ministry said its forces targeted an ISIS centre in the town of Saranan in Pakistan's Balochistan province. It also claimed to have carried out strikes at other locations in Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Pakistan says drones intercepted

According to a Reuters report, Pakistan's military rejected the attack, saying its air defence systems detected and neutralised four rudimentary drones shortly after they entered the country's airspace.

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Provincial authorities in Balochistan confirmed that one drone was sighted near a government school in Saranan. Officials said two people were injured in the incident.

Although Afghanistan does not possess fighter jets, it is known to operate a limited fleet of military aircraft. According to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Afghanistan has at least six aircraft and 23 helicopters.

Taliban forces are also known to possess drones, which have previously been used during clashes with Pakistani forces along the border.

Tensions rooted in militancy

The latest exchange comes amid growing tensions over militant attacks.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of providing safe haven to militants, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad blames for a wave of attacks on its security forces. The Taliban government has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that militancy is Pakistan's internal issue.

On Sunday, Pakistani security forces carried out a ground operation along the Afghanistan border, followed by what officials described as "calibrated strikes" on militant hideouts. Pakistan said the operation killed 29 militants.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the action was launched in response to a series of militant attacks across the country.

The operation came a day after militants attacked the headquarters of the Pakistan Rangers in Karachi, killing three soldiers. Pakistani security forces said they killed three attackers and arrested another suspect, whom the military identified as an injured Afghan national.

Civilian casualties fuel escalation

The latest developments follow Pakistani airstrikes conducted on Monday across the border in Afghanistan.

Afghan officials said at least 36 civilians were killed and more than 160 others were injured in strikes targeting the provinces of Paktika, Paktia and Kunar. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the attacks, calling them a "cowardly act of aggression."

Pakistan, however, said the strikes were carried out in retaliation for "terrorist attacks" originating from Afghan territory. Islamabad said at least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others injured during the fighting along the border.

With both sides accusing each other of supporting militant groups and responding with cross-border military action, tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border continue to rise, raising concerns over the possibility of further escalation.