Afghan Taliban authorities are assessing Pakistan’s airstrikes and have warned of retaliation, sources close to the leadership told CNN-News18, signalling a sharp escalation in tensions along the border.
“We are assessing the Pakistan strikes," a source close to the Afghan Taliban said, adding that authorities are investigating the scale of damage caused by the attacks.
The source accused Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty. “Pakistan has violated Afghan airspace," the source said, stressing that the Taliban “has the right to retaliate."
While no immediate response has been announced, the leadership indicated that retaliation remains on the table. “We will strike back at the perfect time," the source said.
Senior Taliban leaders have convened urgent consultations following the strikes. According to the source, top leadership has summoned important meetings in Kabul and Kandahar to discuss the situation.
“It is too early to say something definitive on the Pakistani strikes, but Kabul will definitely retaliate," the source added, indicating that a formal response could follow internal deliberations.
The Taliban also accused Pakistan of breaching existing understandings. “Pakistan has violated the ceasefire; we are informing all mediators, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye," the source said.
Meanwhile, Pakistani security sources said the cross-border operation targeted militant infrastructure. According to them, precision strikes in Paktika, Paktia, Nangarhar and Khost provinces dismantled terrorist camps.
Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan in the wee hours of Sunday morning, targeting multiple locations along the Durand Line, with fighter jets hitting suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts, CNN-News18 had reported.
Sources confirmed that at least 13 TTP fighters were killed in the strikes, which were conducted across eastern and southeastern Afghanistan.
Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News
