Pakistan Strikes Afghanistan as Taliban minister makes maiden India trip.

In a dramatic turn of regional events, Pakistan reportedly carried out airstrikes inside kabul, Afghanistan, on the night of October 9 -10, 2025, allegedly targeting hideouts of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The development coincided with Afghanistan’s Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s maiden official visit to India, marking a critical moment in South Asia’s volatile geopolitical landscape.

Background Context

1. TTP Threat :– The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an autlawed militant group, has intensified cross-border attacks from Afghan territory since the Taliban seized power in 2021.
2. Recent Trigger :– On October 7, 2025, 11 Pakistani security peersonnel were killed in an ambush near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, allegedly by TTP militants. This attack is believed to have prompted Pakistan’s military retaliation.
3. Taliban Foreign Minister’s Visit to India :- Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister, traveled to New Delhi on October 8, 2025, marking his first official visit to India since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. He traveled under a temporary UN sanctions waiver allowing him to engage in diplomatic dialogue.

The Airstrike Incident

1. Timming and Location :- Late on October 9, multiple explosions were reported across Kabul, notebly near Abdul Haq Square and adjoining areas. Afghan residents confirmed hearing low-flying aircraft and blasts, followed by a rapid response from Taliban security forces.
2. Target :– The strikes reportedly aimed to eliminate TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud though his status remains unconfirmed.
3. Official Reaction :– The Taliban government acknowledged explosions and announced an investigation but did not officially confirm Pakistan’s involvement. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) later stated counter-terror operations were ongoing “in response to cross-border militant attacks,” but avoided direct mention of strikes inside Afghanistan.

Strategic Significance

( a ) For Pakistan

1. The strikes represent retaliatory action for rising TTP attacks.
2. Pakistan aims to send a message to both Kabul and India, it will ac unilaterally to protect its interests.
3. It also reasserts Islamabad’s regional influence, particularly as Afghanistan engages diplomatically with India.

( b ) For Afghanistan (Taliban Government)

1. The incident highlights the Taliban’s struggle to control militant groups on its soil.
2. The timing- during their Foreign Minister’s India visit – undermines Kabul’s diplomatic credibility.
3. It may force the Taliban to choose between maintaining ties with Pakistan or pursuing new regional relationships.

( c ) For India

1. India is carefully navigation navigating limited engagement with the Taliban without formal recognition.
2. Muttaq’s visit signal India’s intent to expand humanitarian and trade dialogue with Afghanistan.
3. The Pakistani strikes could push Afghanistan closer to India, at least diplomatically, if Kabul perceives Pakistan’s as a sovereignty violation.

Regional and Diplomatic Fallout

a. Afghanistan-Pakistan Relations

1. Relations could deteriorate sharply if Kabul confirms Pakistani involvement.
2. Kabul may issue diplomatic protests or mobilize along the border to signal defiance.
3. Past prcecdents (2022 & 2023) airstrikes in Kunar and Khost) show similar cycles of retaliation and denial.

b. India- Afghanistan Relations

1. India gains a diplomatic opening as the Taliban seeks diversified partenerships.
2. If Kabul perceives Islamabad as aggressive, India’s soft power and humanitarian outreach (educatoin, aid, trade ) could strengthen.

c. Regional Power Reactions

1. China and Russia are likely to urge restraint, prioritizing stability.
2. The U.S. may quietly support Pakistan’s counter-terror operations but discourage escalation.
3. Gulf states may mediate between Islamabad and Kabul if tensions worsen.