Early on Friday, October 10, 2025, loud explosions rocked Kabul following reported airstrikes by the Pakistan Air Force targeting Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud.
The strikes occurred hours after Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi began his maiden visit to India, sparking speculation about regional tensions.
Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the airstrikes and announced an investigation, while Pakistan has not officially claimed responsibility. No confirmed casualties have been reported, but the incident marks a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities.
Explosions in Kabul: Targets and Immediate Aftermath
Multiple explosions were reported in central Kabul, particularly in the Macroyan and Wazir Akbar Khan districts, shortly after midnight. Local sources and media suggest that at least two locations were targeted—believed to be safe houses used by TTP operatives.
The primary objective was reportedly the elimination of TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud, who is accused of orchestrating numerous attacks inside Pakistan. While some Pakistani outlets claimed Mehsud was neutralised, the TTP later circulated an unverified audio message asserting he survived.
Residents described intense blasts and smoke plumes, with no immediate reports of civilian casualties, though damage to nearby structures was observed.
Geopolitical Context: India Visit and Regional Tensions
The timing of the airstrikes has drawn intense scrutiny, coinciding with Taliban Foreign Minister Muttaqi’s diplomatic visit to New Delhi, a move seen as India’s growing outreach to Afghanistan. Pakistan, long wary of India’s influence in the region, may have viewed the visit as a strategic provocation, prompting a show of force.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had previously warned Afghanistan to dismantle TTP infrastructure on its soil, citing repeated cross-border attacks.
The Taliban government condemned the strikes as a “blatant violation of sovereignty” and summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul. Analysts suggest the incident reflects deepening fault lines in South Asian geopolitics, where counterterrorism operations increasingly intersect with diplomatic rivalries.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
While the threat posed by militant groups like the TTP is undeniable, unilateral military actions across borders risk undermining regional stability and diplomatic norms. The use of force in a sovereign nation without prior coordination sets a dangerous precedent.
The Logical Indian urges all nations to prioritise dialogue, intelligence sharing, and multilateral cooperation over unilateral strikes. In an interconnected region, lasting peace cannot be bombed into existence.
