Taliban claim airstrikes on Pakistani bases; Islamabad denies damage

KABUL: Afghanistan’s Taliban-run Ministry of Defense said it carried out airstrikes targeting several Pakistani military centers and installations in Islamabad, Nowshera, Jamrud, and Abbottabad, describing the operation as “successful.” Pakistan, however, rejected the claim, saying the drone attacks were carried out by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it refers to as “Fitna al-Khawarij.” Pakistani officials stated that anti-drone systems intercepted and shot down all unmanned aerial vehicles and that no casualties or damage were reported. Amid the escalation, Pakistani airstrikes in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces reportedly killed and wounded civilians, including children. In what the Taliban described as retaliatory operations, the group claimed to have killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and seized several military bases and checkpoints. The Taliban also reported that eight of their fighters were killed and 11 were wounded in the clashes, while 13 additional civilians were injured. Independent verification of the claims from either side was not immediately available.