Pakistan carries out airstrikes in Afghanistan as Afghan Foreign Minister visits India

Pakistan on Thursday reportedly carried out airstrikes on Afghanistan’s capital city Kabul, hitting suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts, even as Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi was visiting India for high-level talks. The strikes came on the same day he reached India to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi.

 

 

According to reports, Pakistani fighter jets targeted suspected TTP hideouts in Kabul. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid acknowledged the explosions on X, saying, “The sound of an explosion was heard in the city of Kabul. However, no one should worry, it is all well and good. The investigation is underway, no report of any damage has been given so far.”

 

 

Afghan authorities have not confirmed any casualties or damage so far. Several media reports claimed that the strikes were aimed at TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud, who is believed to be operating from Afghan soil. Some reports even suggested he may have been killed. Hours later, an unverified audio clip surfaced on social media, in which Mehsud allegedly denied these claims. However, none of this has been independently confirmed.

 

 

Earlier in the day on Thursday, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly, “Enough is enough, our patience has run out.” He accused Kabul of sheltering militants involved in cross-border terrorism and warned that Pakistan would not tolerate further attacks. He added that, "the people of Afghanistan have always been loyal to India and they stood against Pakistan yesterday, they do so today, and they will continue to do so in the future.”

 

 

Muttaqi’s visit marks the first high-level trip by an Afghan Taliban minister to India since the group’s 2021 takeover. His talks with Indian officials focused on regional security and bilateral issues.

 

 

According to official sources, Amir Khan Muttaqi will hold talks with S. Jaishankar at Hyderabad House on Friday, followed by a meeting with Ajit Doval.

 

 

As part of his visit, the Afghanistan Taliban foreign minister is scheduled to visit Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh on October 11 and the Taj Mahal in Agra on October 12. He is also expected to meet members of the Afghan community in Delhi on October 13 before heading back to Kabul on October 15, according to reports by news agencies.