Pakistan Air Force Launches Strikes Across Afghan Cities, Fuel Depot Hit in Kandahar

Islamabad: Tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan has now increased considerably. This war, which started in late February, continues in March as well – shelling, air strikes and ground clashes are taking place continuously on the border. Pakistan carried out air attacks on many areas of Afghanistan, including places like Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar and Khost. Afghan officials are saying that residential areas were also damaged and civilians were killed, while Pakistan claims that the targets were only terrorist camps like TTP and ISIS-K.

How much damage was caused by the attacks and how many people were affected?

At least 18–42 civilian deaths have been reported on the Afghan side from attacks in Kabul and other areas (42 deaths and 104 injured from February 26 to March 2, according to UNAMA). At some places women and children are also included. Homes were destroyed in Kandahar and Paktika, and thousands of people (ranging from 16,000 to 66,000 families, according to the UN) fled their homes and moved to safe areas. There were some military deaths on the Pakistani side too, but Afghan civilian casualties are said to be higher. Overall, there is heavy displacement and an atmosphere of fear in the border area.

What did Pakistan give as the reason for these attacks?

Pakistan is saying that these were "intelligence-based" operations that targeted hideouts of TTP (Pakistani Taliban) and ISIS-K. There have been several major attacks in Pakistan in recent months – such as in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu – and Pakistani officials claim that all of them were being planned from Afghan territory. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif went so far as to call it "open war" and named the operation "Ghazab Lil Haq" (Righteous Fury). They say that hundreds (up to 70-300 in some reports) of militants were killed in these strikes.

How did Afghanistan react to this action?

The Taliban government has strongly condemned these attacks. They said that this is a direct violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, and many attacks took place on civilian areas. Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the attacks in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, but gave a low number of casualties. Afghan forces carried out retaliatory attacks – attacks on Pak posts on the border, drone strikes and claimed to have captured posts at some places. He warned that if such attacks continue, he would give a more stringent response but also said that he would be ready for dialogue.

Can this conflict become a big war?

The clashes, which began on February 21 and have continued to this day (mid-March), have affected thousands of people through shelling, air strikes and ground fighting on the Durand Line. Experts are saying that if tension continues to increase like this, it could turn into a regional crisis, especially when the Iran-America-Israel war is already going on in the Middle East. The UN, China (trying to mediate), and other countries are appealing to both sides to exercise restraint and find a solution through dialogue. But there are talks of "open war" and retaliation from both sides, so the situation is still very delicate.