2025 Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul

2025 Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul
Part of Afghanistan–Pakistan clashes (2024–present) and Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Type	Airstrike
Location	Kabul, Kabul province, Afghanistan
Target	Pakistani Taliban's leadership: Noor Wali Mehsud
Date	9 October 2025
Executed by	Pakistan Armed Forces   Pakistan Air Force (Expected)
Outcome	not disclosed

In the early hours of 9 October 2025, Pakistan carried out alleged airstrikes in Kabul, with some local reports indicating that the attacks targeted internationally designated terrorist ^{[1] [2] [3]} and head of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant organization Noor Wali Mehsud near Abdul Haq Square. ^{[4] [5]} The explosions were heard by residents in different parts of the city, prompting an investigation by Taliban officials, who have not yet confirmed the identity of the target or assessed the full extent of the damage and casualties. ^[6] The incident is part of a potentially significant escalation in cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following several previous attacks and diplomatic protests over Pakistan's efforts to eliminate militant sanctuaries on Afghan soil. ^{[7] [8]}

Background

Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban government in recent years of allowing Pakistani Taliban (TTP) militants to use Afghan soil as safe havens to plan and launch attacks across the border into Pakistan. ^{[9] [10]}

The issue has repeatedly strained diplomatic relations, with Kabul summoning Pakistani ambassadors on several occasions to protest alleged violations of Afghan sovereignty. ^{[11] [9]}

Cross-border operations and airstrikes inside Afghan provinces such as Paktika, Khost, Nangarhar and Kunar have taken place in both 2024 and 2025. Afghanistan often claims civilian casualties. Pakistan claims the targets are militant hideouts. ^{[10] [12] [13]}

Airstrike

On 9 October 2025, at around 9:50pm local time, ^[14] two loud explosions were heard in Kabul, specifically in the eastern sectors near Abdul Haq Square, District 8. ^{[15] [16]} Later, reports emerged that TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud had been killed in an airstrike in Kabul, near Abdul Haq Square. ^{[17] [18]} Explosions and gunfire were heard in parts of Kabul, leading residents to believe that an airstrike had taken place. ^[19] Mehsud's vehicle was reported in Afghan sources to have been targeted or destroyed; though unverified audio recordings purporting to be from Mehsud claim his survival. ^[17]

Reactions

Afghanistan: The Taliban government has launched an investigation into the blasts, with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tries to downplay the incident, saying no damage or casualties have been confirmed. ^{[20] [21]} The day after the attack , the Afghan Ministry of Defence blamed Pakistan for the Kabul and Paktika blasts, without sharing any details. ^[22]

Pakistan: Pakistani army spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry did not either confirm or deny the accusation. “Afghanistan is being used as a base of operations against Pakistan, and there is proof and evidence of that,” Sharif said. “The necessary measures that should be taken to protect the lives and property of the people of Pakistan will be taken and will continue to be taken.” ^[22]

See also

• 2022 Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan

References

1. Pakistani Taliban leader reacts to Afghan gains after US withdrawal - CNN Video, 26 July 2021, retrieved 10 October 2025
2. "Taliban victory in Afghanistan is victory of entire Muslims: TTP leader". Khaama Press. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
3. "Pak's TTP maintains ties with Taliban as its 6,000 terrorists still in Afghanistan: UN report". ANI. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
4. "Pakistan Carries Out Aerial Strikes In Afghanistans Kabul, TTP Chief Noor Wali Mehsud Feared Dead". Zee News. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
5. Azizi, Ahmad (9 October 2025). "Sources: TTP leader killed in Kabul". Amu TV. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
6. "The Taliban are investigating an explosion in Kabul". Associated Press News. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
7. "Decoding Pakistan's 2024 Airstrikes in Afghanistan". War on the Rocks. 7 March 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
8. Najafizada, Eltaf (29 August 2025). "Taliban Says Pakistan Will Face 'Consequences' After Airstrikes". Bloomberg. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
9. Hussain, Abid. "Pakistan air strikes in Afghanistan spark Taliban warning of retaliation". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
10. "Pakistani jets target suspected Pakistani Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan, killing 8 people". Associated Press News . 18 March 2024.
11. "Afghanistan summons Pakistani envoy over alleged cross-border strikes in Nangarhar | Pakistan Today". 28 August 2025.
12. "Kabul claims Pakistani military conducted airstrikes inside Afghanistan, killing many". Anadolu Agency . Retrieved 10 October 2025.
13. "Pakistan confirms it conducted airstrikes inside Afghanistan, killing 'terrorists'". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
14. "Mysterious explosions heard in Kabul: Did Pakistan carry out airstrike? Here's what we know". The Times of India. 10 October 2025. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 10 October 2025.
15. Tatheer (10 October 2025). "Two explosions rock Afghanistan's Kabul". Geo News. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
16. "The Taliban are investigating an explosion in Kabul". Las Vegas Sun. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
17. Jehangir, Mahnoor (9 October 2025). "Kabul Airstrike Targets TTP Chief Noor Wali Mehsud". Mashriq Vibe. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
18. "TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud killed in suspected Airstrikes in Kabul". Pakistan Observer. 9 October 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
19. "Two massive explosions rock Kabul". Al Bawaba. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
20. "Explosion heard in Kabul, Taliban says it is investigating". Reuters.
21. "The Taliban are investigating an explosion in Kabul". The Washington Post. 9 October 2025. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 10 October 2025.
22. Hussain, Abid. "Taliban blame Pakistan after explosions in Kabul, amid outreach to India". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 10 October 2025.