Pakistan’s Border Blitz: Cross-Border Strikes Rise as India-Taliban Ties Deepen

Pakistan conducted intelligence-based air strikes inside Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, claiming to hit TTP camps and killing at least 80 militants, while Kabul denied sanctuary and pledged a measured response. India condemned the strikes and signaled support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty as ties between New Delhi and the Taliban widen. Analysts warn the strikes risk driving Kabul and the TTP closer and complicating Pakistan’s security calculus, though some suggest Pakistan could pursue border reopening and greater intelligence-sharing to pressure Kabul.