Pakistan Airstrikes on Afghan Capital Kabul and Other Areas

Afghan government spokesperson Mujahid confirmed on social media early on the 27th that parts of Kabul, Kandahar Province, and Paktia Province were hit by airstrikes from Pakistani forces. No casualties have been reported so far. Around 2:10 a.m. that day, a loud explosion was heard in downtown Kabul, suspected to be from an aircraft passing overhead, followed by intense gunfire. A source from the Pakistani military told Xinhua that Pakistan conducted airstrikes early that morning on key military facilities in Kabul, Kandahar Province, and Paktia Province. The airstrikes were in response to an attack by Afghan forces on Pakistani border posts on the evening of the 26th, destroying multiple command centers, ammunition depots, and logistics bases. The source said that after Kabul was bombed, Afghan forces requested a ceasefire, but Pakistan decided to continue the airstrikes until its objectives were fully achieved. The airstrikes on Kabul occurred just hours after clashes erupted along the border between the two countries. Mujahid posted on social media on the evening of the 26th that, in response to provocations by the Pakistani military, Afghan forces targeted military facilities in Pakistan’s border areas. The Afghan Ministry of Defense later issued a statement claiming to have seized 15 Pakistani military outposts, killing 55 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz’s spokesperson issued a statement saying that Pakistani security forces responded effectively, killing 72 Afghan militants, injuring 120, and destroying 16 Afghan outposts, while occupying 7. Afghan President Zardari posted on social media that Pakistan would not compromise on peace and territorial integrity. The Pakistani security forces’ response was comprehensive and decisive. Those who mistake Pakistan’s desire to maintain peace for weakness will face a strong counterattack. (Xinhua)