Pakistan’s security forces killed 29 fighters along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, according to Agence France Presse and The Associated Press. The operation occurred on June 29, 2026, in response to recent attacks that killed three soldiers in Karachi.
What happened
Pakistan’s military conducted a ground operation and air strikes against multiple targets along the border, resulting in the deaths of 29 fighters, officials reported. Pakistani Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar announced the strikes were a direct response to a surge of violent attacks by armed groups in the country.
“Three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed during precision strikes,” Tarar noted in a social media post, referring to regions in eastern Afghanistan. No immediate comment was received from Afghan authorities regarding the strikes.
The attack follows an incident in Karachi on June 28, where fighters armed with explosives and guns killed three soldiers at the regional headquarters of the paramilitary Rangers. Three attackers were killed in the encounter, while one wounded assailant, identified as an Afghan national, was arrested.
Why it matters
The recent surge in violence in Pakistan has primarily been attributed to the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and other allied groups. With the Afghan Taliban returning to power in 2021, the dynamics of cross-border conflict have intensified, raising concerns about regional stability. Pakistan holds Afghanistan responsible for harboring militants who conduct attacks within its territory.
Background
On May 20, 2026, Pakistan’s military executed air strikes targeting alleged hideouts of fighter groups within Afghanistan. This marked an escalation in hostilities between the two nations, which had engaged in an “open war.” Prior to this, a month of relative calm had been broken following a series of retaliatory strikes.
Since February 2026, hundreds have died in cross-border clashes, with ongoing tensions complicating peace efforts. Multiple international mediation attempts have failed to establish a lasting ceasefire, even after discussions hosted by China in April, where both countries agreed to explore de-escalation.
What’s next
Pakistan plans to continue its operations along the Afghan border as tensions remain high. Military officials have indicated that further actions targeting TTP hideouts may be imminent in response to ongoing violence.
