The capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, was rocked by massive explosions late Thursday night (October 9), in what are widely known to be the first-ever Pakistani airstrikes within the city limits. (Image Source: X.com/ANI)
The capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, was rocked by massive explosions late Thursday night (October 9), in what are widely known to be the first-ever Pakistani airstrikes within the city limits. The strikes aimed at Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) positions, a militant outfit responsible for violence within Pakistan.
Locals reported a "night of chaos," with explosions and low-flying planes frightening central and northern neighborhoods. The timing is very important since the attacks occurred when Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was visiting India for a high-level meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
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Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the blasts, saying an investigation was being conducted and appealing for calm, but offering nothing about the reason or impact. Islamabad, meanwhile, has not officially confirmed the raid, although Pakistani defense circle-linked social media accounts hailed a "surgical airstrike."
Reports indicated that the chief target could have been TTP Chief Noor Wali Mehsud, with some preliminary, unverified reports of his death. But an audio file emerged later, allegedly of Mehsud, rejecting that he was killed. There are also reports of civilian houses being struck, with images of devastation spreading online, but Afghan officials have not confirmed casualties or the degree of damage.
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The attacks come a day after a stern threat by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who stated, "Enough is enough; our patience has run out," blaming Kabul for giving shelter to cross-border militants. The operation is a big shift in Pakistan's policy towards the Taliban regime and threatens a drastic intensification of fighting, with some Taliban-connected channels even urging supporters to get ready for counterattacks within Pakistan.
