Afghanistan bombing: What’s Pakistan’s strategy as India-Taliban ties grow?
Al Jazeera
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Islamabad has launched air raids inside Afghanistan in response to escalating violence along its borders, breaking a fragile ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey. The attacks targeted areas near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, specifically focusing on suspected Taliban strongholds. According to Pakistani officials, these strikes killed at least 80 militants across seven camps and hideouts in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. However, Afghan authorities denied these claims, accusing Islamabad of hitting a religious school and residential homes, resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children.
The surge in violence began after several high-profile attacks on Pakistani soil, including a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad that killed 36 people and an explosives-laden vehicle attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that claimed the lives of 11 soldiers and a child. These incidents, coupled with increasing Indian engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, have intensified Pakistan’s frustration. India has condemned the Pakistani military action, calling it an attempt to divert attention from internal issues while reaffirming its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
Pakistan’s strategy appears to be leveraging external pressure to address domestic security challenges. Islamabad accuses Afghan-based groups of orchestrating cross-border attacks and has demanded concrete steps from Kabul to prevent such activities. However, the Taliban government in Afghanistan continues to deny any involvement, further straining relations between the two nations. Pakistan’s military response has shattered the fragile peace process and reignited tensions along the border.
The growing partnership between India and the Taliban is a key concern for Islamabad, which views it as evidence of Indian interference in its internal affairs. This emerging alliance adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile region, with both sides accusing each other of using external relations to destabilize the other. The situation underscores the delicate balance of power dynamics in South Asia and raises questions about regional stability.
As Pakistan’s patience wanes, the likelihood of further escalations remains high. The conflict not only threatens
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/24/2026