The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan said it carried out strikes along the Pakistan border, injuring several people in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, prompting Pakistan to shoot down four rudimentary drones and issue a stern warning of a strong response.

According to Afghan officials, the strikes targeted positions across the border in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province and reportedly injured several people. The operation came days after Pakistan launched air and ground attacks inside Afghanistan, further straining relations between the neighboring countries.

Pakistan's military confirmed that security forces had intercepted and shot down four rudimentary drones allegedly launched from Afghan territory. In a statement, the military warned that any further provocation would receive a “befitting response.”

The latest escalation follows Pakistani air strikes conducted on Sunday in Afghanistan's eastern provinces. According to figures cited by the United Nations, at least 28 civilians were killed in the attacks. Afghan authorities put the toll even higher, saying 36 civilians were killed and more than 160 others injured after strikes hit residential areas.

The Islamic Emirate condemned the attacks, describing them as a violation of Afghan sovereignty and accusing Pakistan of targeting civilian homes.

“The attack was a cowardly act and an atrocity against innocent civilians,” Afghan officials said, calling on the international community to take notice of the growing violence along the border.

Pakistan, however, defended the operation, saying it targeted militant hideouts in the Afghan provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the operation was launched in response to recent militant attacks inside Pakistan and resulted in the deaths of 29 militants.

Islamabad has long accused Afghanistan of providing safe haven to armed groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani territory, an allegation repeatedly rejected by the Islamic Emirate government.

The renewed violence has shattered months of relative calm between the two countries. In October, Kabul and Islamabad agreed to a ceasefire after weeks of deadly clashes along the disputed frontier. However, security incidents have continued to flare periodically.

Border tensions have remained high throughout the year. In February, clashes between Afghan and Pakistani forces reportedly left dozens dead on both sides. In March, a Pakistani strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul caused heavy casualties and drew widespread condemnation. More recently, in June, Pakistan carried out air strikes that it said killed 26 militants, while Afghan authorities reported that 13 civilians, most of them children, were also killed.

Regional observers have expressed concern that the latest cycle of retaliation could trigger a broader security crisis along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, one of the region’s most volatile flashpoints.

Diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent further escalation, with several regional powers calling on both sides to exercise restraint and resolve their disputes through dialogue. However, with both governments exchanging accusations and military operations continuing, fears remain that the situation could deteriorate further in the coming days. (ILKHA)