Pakistan said it carried out cross-border strikes on militant targets inside Afghanistan after blaming a series of recent suicide bombings, including attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, on fighters it said were operating from Afghan territory.
In a statement dated 21 February and released early on Sunday, Pakistan's foreign ministry said it had "conclusive evidence" that the attacks were carried out by what it calls Khwarij, its term for the Pakistani Taliban, acting on instructions from "their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers."
The statement said Pakistan conducted "intelligence based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts" used by the Pakistani Taliban as well as Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) along the border with Afghanistan.
Among the incidents of strike Pakistan listed were a mosque bombing in Islamabad and violence in the northwestern border districts of Bajaur and Bannu.
The military said a suicide bomber in these districts targeted a convoy of security forces, killing five militants in a gun battle and two soldiers when an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into a military vehicle.
The operation marked a sharp escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, days after Kabul released three Pakistani soldiers in a Saudi-mediated step meant to calm relations following months of clashes along the rugged frontier.
Kabul has repeatedly denied allowing militants to use Afghan territory to stage attacks inside Pakistan.
A Taliban spokesperson said the attacks had killed and injured dozens of people, including women and children, but Reuters was unable to independently verify the remarks.
Women and children were among the dozens killed and injured in Saturday's attacks, Taliban said.
Afghanistan's defence ministry condemned what it called the blatant violation of national sovereignty as a "breach of international law, the principles of good neighbourliness and Islamic values."
It added in its statement, "An appropriate and measured response will be taken at a suitable time."
Tensions have repeatedly forced key border crossings to shut, interrupting trade and movement along the 2,600 -kilometre frontier.
Dozens were killed in clashes in October before the two sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire, but Pakistan continues to accuse Afghanistan's Taliban rulers of harbouring militants who stage attacks inside its territory, a claim Kabul denies.
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At least three paramilitary troops and three suspected militants were killed after heavily armed attackers stormed a Rangers security compound in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Saturday, authorities said.
Pakistan is seeking to revive economic ties with Iran by reopening transport links and reassessing imports of discounted Iranian crude oil, as recent regional de-escalation raises hopes of broader economic cooperation.
As diplomacy helps ease tensions in the Middle East, Pakistan and Iran are seeking to turn that momentum into closer security cooperation along one of South Asia's most sensitive borders.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, underlining growing alignment between the two countries on regional security.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, and landslides, according to media reports.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
Germany and Poland are bracing for sweltering conditions as a deadly heatwave that has gripped Western Europe moves east, with temperatures expected to approach 40°C over the weekend.
Iran had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 1-1 with Egypt in their final Group G match at Seattle Stadium on Friday.
Iran has launched missiles and drones targeting U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to Iranian state media and a U.S. official, in retaliation for recent U.S. strikes on Iran.
Fourteen people were killed on Sunday after a helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura, according to Saudi state media.
Lebanon says Israeli air strikes and ground operations have damaged or destroyed historic landmarks across the country's south, raising fears that parts of its cultural heritage have been lost forever.
Civilians were killed on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine border on Saturday as drone and artillery attacks continued despite no sign of a slowdown in the fighting.
Syria has dispatched a rescue team to Venezuela to support search-and-rescue operations following the deadly earthquakes that struck the country earlier this week, marking the first overseas deployment of Syrian rescue personnel.
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