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Afghan capital echoes with explosions as Pakistan hits Taliban military sites

By The South Asia Times

KABUL, Afghanistan - Kabul was rocked by explosions overnight after Pakistan carried out airstrikes targeting what it described as militant infrastructure linked to the Afghan Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Pakistani security sources said on Friday.

The strikes were part of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, a cross-border military campaign launched by Pakistan last month against militant groups it accuses of carrying out attacks inside its territory.

According to Pakistani security officials, precision airstrikes were conducted during the night of March 12–13 against four locations in Afghanistan. Targets included infrastructure linked to the 313 Corps in Kabul, including what officials described as an ammunition depot.

Additional strikes were carried out against the Tarawo training camp and related militant infrastructure at Kandahar airfield, where an oil storage facility and nearby logistics installations were also destroyed, the sources said.

Another site, identified as the Sher-e-Nau militant camp in Paktia Province, was also targeted.

Explosions were reported in parts of Kabul late at night, though officials in Afghanistan did not immediately release details on damage or casualties.

Pakistani authorities say the campaign has inflicted heavy losses on militant networks operating inside Afghanistan.

According to figures released by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the operation has so far resulted in the deaths of 641 militants, with more than 855 others wounded.

He said Pakistani forces have also destroyed 243 militant checkpoints, captured and demolished 42 others, and damaged or destroyed 219 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces used by militant groups.

Tarar said more than 65 militant camps and support facilities across Afghanistan had been targeted through airstrikes.

Islamabad says the operation aims to dismantle networks linked to the TTP, which Pakistan accuses of carrying out cross-border attacks on security forces and civilians.

Pakistani officials have repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban authorities to prevent militants from using Afghan territory to launch attacks, warning that operations will continue until what Islamabad calls terrorist infrastructure is eliminated.