Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Pakistan Reports Militants Killed as Afghan Civilians Die in Strikes
Pakistan said it carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan against militants.
Pakistani officials said at least 28 militants were killed.
The Taliban government said the strikes also killed civilians.
The United Nations confirmed that three civilians died: a man, a woman and a girl.
The Taliban said four other people were injured.
Buildings in the Afghan provinces of Kunar and Paktika were also damaged.
Pakistan says militants in Afghanistan have carried out attacks inside Pakistan.
The Taliban denies protecting anti-Pakistani militants and says the problem is inside Pakistan.
The Taliban said it may respond to what it called aggression.
Pakistan said its airstrikes in Afghanistan killed at least 28 militants in Paktika and Kunar provinces.
UNAMA confirmed that three civilians—a man, a woman and a girl—were killed.
The Taliban said one family was killed and four others injured in Kunar, while sites in Paktika were damaged.
Taliban officials condemned the strikes, summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires and threatened an appropriate response.
The attacks ended nearly three months of relative calm amid escalating accusations over cross-border militancy.
- Who
- Pakistan’s government and the Taliban-run Afghan government were involved; UNAMA confirmed three civilian deaths.
- What
- Pakistan reported airstrikes that killed at least 28 militants, while Afghan officials and UNAMA reported three civilian deaths.
- When
- The strikes occurred overnight and were reported on Monday, September 21, after nearly three months of relative calm.
- Where
- The reported targets were in Afghanistan’s Paktika and Kunar provinces, near the Pakistan border.
- Why
- Pakistan said it was targeting militants linked to cross-border attacks; the Taliban denied harboring such militants and condemned the strikes.
Pakistan’s account
Afghan Taliban and UN findings
Purpose and targets of the strikes
Pakistan’s account
Pakistan said it targeted militants in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region and reported at least 28 militant deaths.
Afghan Taliban and UN findings
The Taliban denied harboring anti-Pakistani insurgents and condemned the strikes as aggression against Afghanistan.
Civilian casualties
Pakistan’s account
Pakistan’s reported death toll focused on militants; its military did not immediately issue a separate comment, and the government did not provide a civilian account in the report.
Afghan Taliban and UN findings
The Taliban said three members of one family were killed and four people were injured in Kunar. UNAMA confirmed three civilian deaths.
Responsibility for cross-border militancy
Pakistan’s account
Pakistan has accused Kabul of harboring militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan and has described retaliatory strikes as targeting militant hideouts.
Afghan Taliban and UN findings
The Taliban government says militancy is Pakistan’s internal problem and denies providing sanctuary to anti-Pakistani insurgents.
- Reported militant deaths
- At least 28, according to Pakistan’s government
- Confirmed civilian deaths
- Three, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
- Civilian victims
- A man, a woman and a girl
- Reported locations
- Paktika and Kunar provinces in Afghanistan
- Taliban response
- The Taliban said it would respond appropriately and summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires
- Recent Pakistani attack
- At least 24 people were killed in an attack on a police facility in Kohat
- Related border clash
- Pakistan said six soldiers and eight militants were killed in fighting in Hangu on Sunday