Pakistan strikes Afghanistan; India condemns aggression

In a significant escalation of cross-border tensions, Pakistan announced on Sunday, March 15, 2026, that its forces had conducted strikes targeting military facilities and "terrorist hideouts" in southern Afghanistan, specifically in the Kandahar region. According to Pakistani security sources, the operation successfully destroyed technical support infrastructure and an equipment storage facility in Kandahar. A further strike reportedly targeted a tunnel in Kandahar, which Pakistani authorities claim was utilized by both the Afghan Taliban and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group Islamabad holds responsible for a recent surge in attacks within Pakistan.. Residents in Kandahar reported observing military aircraft flying overhead and hearing explosions during the night, with some witnessing flames from the direction of a military facility. Similar reports of air strikes emerged from Spin Boldak, southeast of Kandahar.. The Pakistani strikes come in the wake of Pakistan's announcement on Saturday, March 14, 2026, that it had thwarted "drone attacks" launched from Afghanistan, which were intercepted on Friday night. Officials stated that at least three locations in Pakistan, including the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were targeted.. Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari's office declared that the Afghan Taliban had "crossed a red line" by targeting civilians and warned of a response.. The Taliban government in Afghanistan, through its spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, acknowledged that the Pakistani strikes had caused some damage, including to a drug rehabilitation center and an empty container in Kandahar. However, Mujahid disputed Pakistan's claims about the targeted locations, stating they were far from the areas Pakistan indicated.. The Taliban government has consistently denied any involvement in cross-border militancy or allowing Afghan territory to be used for such purposes, while Pakistan insists its operations are exclusively aimed at militants and do not target civilians.. India has strongly condemned Pakistan's actions. The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated on March 14, 2026, that the strikes constitute "yet another act of aggression" and reiterated India's unwavering support for Afghanistan's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.. This condemnation aligns with India's long-standing stance on Pakistan allegedly harboring terror groups that launch cross-border attacks. The escalating conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan has raised concerns about regional stability. This series of events is part of a broader pattern of heightened tensions and border clashes between the two nations, which have intensified in recent weeks. These clashes have disrupted trade routes and led to the displacement of residents living near the border.. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the escalating violence since February 26, 2026, has resulted in at least 75 civilians killed and 193 wounded in Afghanistan.. Diplomatic efforts, including those by China and Turkey, to broker a ceasefire have so far failed to yield lasting peace.. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran, which has heightened geopolitical uncertainties in the region.. This incident underscores the deep-seated mistrust and the ongoing security challenges characterizing the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The TTP remains a significant concern for Pakistan, which alleges that the Afghan Taliban provide sanctuary to the group. This claim is vehemently denied by the Taliban authorities.. The conflict has seen both sides engage in retaliatory actions, with Afghanistan also claiming to have conducted attacks on Pakistani military installations in response to Pakistani strikes.. The situation remains volatile, with implications for regional security and the well-being of civilians in the affected areas.

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