ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 — Pakistan on Tuesday said that Afghan Taliban initiated unprovoked firing along the border in the Torkham and Tirah sectors, days after Pakistani airstrikes targeted militant camps inside Afghanistan.
Mosharraf Zaidi, the prime minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, said Pakistani forces responded “immediately and effectively,” warning that any further provocation would be met with a “severe” response.
Over the weekend, Pakistan said it carried out intelligence-based strikes in Nangarhar and Paktika Provinces, killing more than 80 militants linked to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State-Khorasan. Officials described the operation as retaliation for recent attacks inside Pakistan, including a suicide bombing in Islamabad and assaults in Bajaur and Bannu that killed security personnel and civilians.
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have worsened since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with Pakistan repeatedly accusing Afghan authorities of failing to curb militant groups operating from their territory. The Taliban deny the allegations.
The latest exchange underscores mounting tensions along the rugged frontier, where cross-border violence has intensified in recent months.
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