In a overnight development, initial reports from intelligence and defense sources suggest that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has carried out a precision strike in Kabul, reportedly targeting and eliminating several top leaders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). While the situation remains fluid, early information points to a major counterterrorism operation deep inside Afghan territory — a move that could significantly alter the security dynamics between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.
The Reported Strike
According to preliminary reports emerging late Friday night, Pakistani fighter jets conducted a coordinated air raid on militant hideouts in the outskirts of Kabul, allegedly neutralizing senior figures within the TTP’s leadership council. Local sources and intelligence leaks suggest that the operation targeted compounds believed to be housing TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud and other top commanders involved in recent cross-border attacks.
Though official confirmation from Islamabad has yet to be released, the magnitude of the operation — if verified — would mark the first major air strike near the Afghan capital by Pakistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Escalating Tensions Along the Border
The reported strike comes amid weeks of escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following a surge in cross-border militant activity. Pakistani security forces have faced a wave of deadly attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which Islamabad has repeatedly linked to militant groups operating from Afghan soil.
Just days earlier, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had warned that Pakistan’s patience was “wearing thin,” urging the Taliban government to rein in the TTP or face consequences. The statement now appears prescient, given the timing of the alleged air operation.
TTP Under Pressure
The TTP, which has carried out hundreds of attacks inside Pakistan over the past decade, has long found safe haven across the porous Pak-Afghan border. Following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, Pakistan expected tighter control on these militant networks — but instead, the TTP reportedly regrouped, increasing its operational capability.
If confirmed, the strike would represent Pakistan’s most aggressive response yet, signaling a shift from defensive counterinsurgency to proactive cross-border targeting. Security analysts believe this could be part of a broader campaign aimed at dismantling the TTP’s command structure before winter sets in.
DG ISPR to Hold Key Press Conference
In a move signaling the gravity of the situation, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) has announced a press conference scheduled for 10 AM today(Friday). The briefing is expected to confirm operational details, outline the rationale behind the strikes, and address potential repercussions in the region.
According to military insiders, DG ISPR will also share intelligence findings regarding TTP activity inside Afghanistan and Pakistan’s stance on safeguarding its sovereignty and citizens from terrorist threats.
Afghan Reaction Awaited
So far, Kabul has not issued an official response to the reports. However, given past reactions to similar operations, the Taliban government is likely to condemn any strike within its territory as a violation of sovereignty. Observers in Islamabad expect diplomatic tensions to rise sharply, potentially testing the fragile communication channels between the two neighbors.
Regional experts warn that Pakistan’s move — if verified — could draw international attention and prompt calls for restraint, particularly from China, the U.S., and other regional stakeholders invested in maintaining stability in Afghanistan.
The strike in Kabul marks a significant escalation in Pakistan’s counterterrorism policy — and could reshape the regional security narrative for months to come.
