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KABUL – Kabul was rocked by powerful explosions late Thursday night, reportedly from Pakistani airstrikes targeting senior Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leaders, including chief Noor Wali Mehsud. Initial reports claimed Mehsud was killed, but a voice recording later surfaced, allegedly from him, denying his death and ordering TTP fighters to continue attacks against Pakistan.
The blasts were heard across central Kabul, including Abdul Haq Square, causing panic among residents. Afghan authorities confirmed the explosions and said investigations were underway, while initially reporting no confirmed casualties. Pakistan has not officially commented on the strikes.
The attacks follow a recent surge in militant assaults in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which left several soldiers dead. Analysts warn the strikes could heighten tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, further complicating regional security. The timing coincided with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to New Delhi, where he met India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar to discuss trade, security, and humanitarian cooperation.
The incident underscores growing cross-border hostilities and risks drawing Afghanistan deeper into the geopolitical rivalry between Pakistan and its neighbors, while challenging the Taliban administration’s efforts to maintain stability in the capital.
