Afghanistan Claims to Thwart Pakistani Airstrikes on Bagram Airbase
Afghanistan has asserted that it successfully repelled attempted airstrikes by Pakistan on Bagram airbase, a former US military facility located north of Kabul. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing cross-border conflict, which has now persisted for four consecutive days. The clashes have intensified since Thursday, with both nations engaging in military actions along their shared frontier.
Escalation of Hostilities
On Sunday, the police headquarters of Parwan province, where Bagram is situated, issued a statement indicating that several Pakistani military jets breached Afghan airspace around 5 a.m. and attempted to bomb the airbase. According to the statement, Afghan forces responded using anti-aircraft and missile defence systems, effectively thwarting the attack. Pakistan has not provided an immediate response to these claims.
The conflict has escalated to a point where Pakistan has declared it is in "open war" with Afghanistan. This declaration follows months of sporadic clashes that have reignited, with Afghanistan launching attacks along the border and Pakistani forces retaliating both on the ground and from the air.
International Concerns and Diplomatic Efforts
The fighting has alarmed the international community, particularly due to the region's history with militant groups such as al-Qaida and Islamic State, which continue to have a presence and are attempting to resurface. Diplomatic efforts led by countries including Saudi Arabia and Qatar have so far failed to secure a truce, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of failing to act against militant groups responsible for attacks in Pakistan, a claim that the Taliban government has rejected. Many of these attacks have been claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that has increased its assaults in Pakistan since 2021, coinciding with the Taliban's return to power in Kabul.
Casualty Claims and Military Actions
Conflicting reports on casualties have emerged from both sides. Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban government's deputy spokesperson, stated that Pakistani fire has killed 36 civilians across multiple provinces since Thursday, a claim that Islamabad has not commented on. Meanwhile, Pakistan's information minister, Attaullah Tarar, reported that airstrikes have hit 46 locations across Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of 415 Afghan soldiers. Pakistan earlier acknowledged the loss of 12 of its own soldiers.
Fitrat countered by claiming that more than 80 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 27 military posts captured, with the Afghan government initially reporting 13 troop deaths. These casualty figures are difficult to verify independently due to the ongoing conflict and limited access to the affected areas.
Regional Impact and Security Measures
The escalation marks a shift in Pakistan's military strategy, as analysts note this is the first time airstrikes have targeted Afghan government facilities rather than militant groups. In response, there has been an increased security presence in Kabul, with additional checkpoints established in the city centre on Sunday.
Sporadic clashes were reported in several provinces, including Khost and Nangarhar, with overnight fighting noted at the Torkham border crossing, a key gateway for Afghans returning from Pakistan. Heavy fighting was also reported in Paktia province, underscoring the widespread nature of the conflict.
Afghan officials have stated that their border offensive on Thursday was a response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes that killed civilians, which Pakistan claimed targeted militants. This cycle of retaliation has deepened tensions, with no immediate resolution in sight.
