# 2024 Pakistan–Afghanistan tension

On 25 December 2024, Pakistani military aircraft attacked Paktika province of Afghanistan killing at least 46 people and six injured, where most of the victims were children and women, claimed Taliban.
The bombings were done in four locations injuring six people, claimed deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat.

## Background

Hostilities existed between Afghanistan and the newly independent Pakistan since 1947, when Afghanistan became the only country to vote against the admission of Pakistan to the United Nations. Before Pakistan's independence, Afghanistan advocated the independence of its north-west frontier, although the region's predominant Pashtun population had voted overwhelmingly in favor of Pakistan over India in the referendum held in July 1947. 99.02% votes were cast in favor of Pakistan. Though the proposed Pashtunistan state by Afghanistan fluctuated in size over time, the Balochistan province of Pakistan was also frequently included in the Greater Pastunistan definition. Following the 2021 Taliban offensive, there have been allegation that Taliban are involved in anti-Pakistan activities including alleged support for Pakistani Taliban and Baloch separatists resulting in tensions between the Republic and the Emirate.

## Attack and casualties

On 21 December, At least 16 soldiers are killed in an attack by the Pakistani Taliban on an outpost in South Waziristan. On 25 December 2024, the Pakistan Air Force launched precision airstrikes in response to the 21 December attack, on seven locations located across four villages of Barmal District of Afghanistan Paktika province initially claiming to have killing 20-25 terrorists. The villages targeted by PAF included Laman, Margha, and Murg Bazaar. Reports indicate that the Murg Bazaar village in Barmal was completely destroyed. The airstrikes took four High Value Targets(HVTs) that included terrorists camps and hideouts of key commanders, these included the compound of senior ranking Commander of TTP, Sher Zaman alias Mukhlis Yar's hideout, the Commander Abu Hamza's recruitment camp and Akhtar Muhammad alias Khalil suicide bombers" training camp. All of these commanders were using camps for recruitment and training young child suicide bombers and terrorists. The fourth target struck by PAF was the "Umar Media" centre of TTP, being headed by the TTP's commander Shoaib Iqbal alias Muneeb Jatt, from where the TTP propagated its digital propaganda. Afghan Taliban's Defence Ministry, the Afghan Taliban regime official spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed reports of the strike carried out by Pakistani forces, but claimed that the dead and injured included a number of children and other civilians. The PAF's strikes mark third instance of Pakistan launching attack on Afghan soil since the fall of Kabul. The Pakistan airstrikes coincided the birthday of Pakistan's founder. The Afghan Government reported that 46 people had been killed and 6 wounded, with the casualties including children.
Afghanistan retaliated diplomatically by threatening and warning the Government of Pakistan about possible retaliation.

## Investigation and aftermath
### Summary

A Pakistani Official reportedly told Reuters that Pakistan had carried out airstrikes against a camp of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP). A significant attack by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) occurred in South Waziristan, Pakistan, near the site of a suspected militant camp in Afghanistan. This attack resulted in the deaths of 16 Pakistani security personnel on Saturday.
Afghanistan's foreign office called in Pakistan's top diplomat in Kabul to hand over a formal complaint about bombings carried out by Pakistani military planes. They also cautioned the diplomat about the potential repercussions of such military actions.
Enayatullah Khowrazmi, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense (Afghanstan) said that, "Afghanistan considers this brutal act a blatant violation of all international principles and an obvious act of aggression, The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered."
The relationship of Afghanistan and Pakistan reached too low when Afghanistan alleged Pakistan of carrying to airstrikes on its territory killing 5 women and children.

### About Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is a militant group that was established in 2007 as a coalition of various hardline Sunni Islamist factions in Pakistan. This formation came in response to military actions against Al-Qaida-affiliated terrorists in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), an area in northwest Pakistan.
The group, led initially by Baitullah Mehsud, is primarily located along the border with Afghanistan and is estimated to have between 30,000 and 35,000 members. TTP aims to overthrow Pakistan's elected government to create an emirate governed by its interpretation of Islamic law. To achieve this goal, the TTP has attacked the Pakistani military and assassinated political figures. Their violent actions, including numerous suicide bombings, have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of military personnel, police, and civilians.
TTP has been responsible for some of the most devastating attacks in Pakistan, targeting churches, schools, and notable figures like Malala Yousafzai, who survived an assassination attempt in 2012 for advocating women's education against Taliban restrictions.
Following the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan in 2021, TTP has become more aggressive, as its leaders and fighters are based in Afghanistan. After ending a cease-fire with the Pakistani government in late 2022, TTP has intensified its attacks, causing casualties among Pakistani soldiers and police.

### Kabul's reaction

The Afghan Defense Ministry criticized airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Kabul, claiming that the bombings struck civilians, including women and children. They reported that many of the victims were refugees from the Waziristan area.
"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers this a brutal act against all international principles and blatant aggression and strongly condemns it," the ministry said.
On X, Afghan Defense Ministry said, "The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered but rather considers the defense of its territory and territory to be its inalienable right."
Syed Muhammad Ali, a security expert from Islamabad, informed the Associated Press (AP) about an airstrike that took place on Tuesday, "represents a clear and blunt warning to Pakistani Taliban that Pakistan will use all the available means against the terrorist outfit both inside and outside its borders."
"However, it is not an indiscriminate use of force and due care was taken by Pakistan in ensuring that only the terrorist bases were hit and no civilian loss of life and property took place," he said.