Pakistan Hits Three Afghanistan Provinces; Blast Near Taliban Leader’s Residence

DID Press: Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes early Thursday on targets in Afghanistan’s Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces, while local sources reported an explosion near the reported residence of Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada in Kandahar.

According to preliminary reports, Pakistani fighter jets struck several locations across the three provinces. In Kandahar, local sources said an explosion occurred at around 3:30 a.m. near the area where Akhundzada is believed to reside. No independent details have yet emerged regarding the exact target, the circumstances of the blast or possible casualties.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the Pakistani airstrike in Kandahar, saying a desert area in the city’s Ninth District was targeted and that there were no casualties.

In Khost, Taliban provincial spokesperson Mustaghfir Gurbaz said Pakistani forces struck several locations, including Gulan Camp, areas near the provincial capital, and parts of Ismail Khel and Mandozai districts. He also reported no casualties.

Reports from Paktia said a Taliban military position was also targeted in Gardez city, the provincial capital.

Pakistan’s military has said the strikes were conducted as part of an operation dubbed “Ghazab lil-Haq”, in response to what Islamabad described as drone incursions from Afghanistan territory. Pakistani authorities said they targeted 10 locations allegedly linked to the launch and storage of drones.

The strikes come amid escalating military tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban, with both sides accusing each other of conducting cross-border attacks.