The Pakistani Air Force launched an airstrike on the Afghan capital Kabul on the evening of October 9, 2025, which came suddenly, without any prior warning, and directly crossed the border. The target was locked at the top of the Pakistani Taliban organization, especially their head, Novaya Vali Mahasud. The local residents of Kabul heard a massive explosion, mainly near the city's Abdullah Hak Square, which is the eighth district. After the explosion, the Afghan Taliban government immediately investigated, but did not give details of the casualties, but said everything was under control. Pakistan has not officially acknowledged the operation, but the media and intelligence sources all pointed to the precise strikes carried out by their air force.
The airstrike did not come for nothing, just two days ago, on October 7, 2025, the Pakistani army was attacked by the Pakistani Taliban near the border. The attack occurred when the Pakistani army car passed by, the militants first bombed the car with a bottled bomb and then fired fire. As a result, the Pakistani lost 11 people, including 9 soldiers and 2 officers. The Pakistani Taliban immediately acknowledged, saying that their fighters were killed. The Pakistani army killed 19 militants during the counterattack, but the losses were not small. Pakistani Defense Minister Havajah Aliyev said in parliament that his patience was exhausted, and that his hands were taken against these militants hidden in Afghanistan.
Reports that the air strike specifically targeted Mehsud first emerged from Afghan media Amu TV, saying that he was killed near a camp. Explosions were reported in multiple areas of Kabul, including the northern part of the city center and civilian residential areas. Afghan officials say at least four places have been hit: Shar-e-Nau, Dasht-e-Bachi, Kwaja Lavash near the international airport, and Kerkana. One vehicle was hit in the attack and surrounding houses were damaged. Pakistan media Zee News and other sources said the operation was carried out by Air Force fighter jets and involved multiple rounds of bombing, causing strong explosions in central and northern Kabul.
The Pakistani Taliban quickly responded by releasing a video of Mahasud, in which he personally denied the death rumors and said he was okay. The recording was circulated on organizational channels, proving that he was not killed in the airstrike. Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihura Mujahid confirmed the explosion, but stressed that there were no major losses and everything was OK. The Pakistani observer newspaper that Mahasud and several potential successors were killed in Kabul, but this was in conflict with the audio. Indian media India Today noted that the attack was just about to catch the Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mujahid’s first printing visit, and that Pakistan may use this signal.
This is not the first time that there has been a conflict on the border between the two countries. Since the Afghan Taliban came to power in 2021, Pakistan has complained that they have sheltered Pakistan Taliban militants. In March and December 2024, the Pakistan Air Force conducted two air strikes on Afghan border provinces, such as Paktika, Khost, Nangahar and Kunar, claiming to have hit armed hideouts. Afghanistan protests every time, saying it violated sovereignty and caused civilian casualties. In December 2024, when Pakistan used fighter jets to strike, the Taliban reported that 46 people were killed, mostly women and children, and 6 people were injured. Pakistan said the targets were militants and did not mention civilians.
After entering 2025, the conflict escalated. On January 7th, mortar shells fired from the Afghan side hit the Mond district of Pakistan, causing no injuries. On January 9, Pakistani attack helicopters attacked a border post occupied by the Pakistani Taliban in Bajaur district. Pakistan also complained that the Taliban did not dismantle the armed shelter, although Pakistan went to Kabul three years ago to make a request. Pakistan's defense minister stressed in parliament that military, economic and diplomatic pressure must be used to force the Taliban to change their behavior.
This airstrike in Kabul was the first direct strike by Pakistan on the Afghan capital, marking an escalation of the situation. Wikipedia article records a Pakistani airstrike on Kabul in 2025, the explosion occurred in the eastern region at night. Residents heard the noise from different places, and the Taliban investigation did not confirm the target or loss. The Pakistani military admitted anonymously that the launch from its own headquarters and could involve drones. The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistani diplomats to submit a formal protest, warning of possible consequences.
Pakistan media such as SSBCrack and Defence Security Asia reported that this was a precision strike and the target was the land cruiser on which Mehsud was riding and hit at Abdul Haq Crossing. It was rumored on Pakistani social media that the operation was a precision air strike against the Taliban terrorist organization. Afghanistan's International English Channel reported that former Pakistan Baluchistan Information Minister Jane Achakzai called the air strike historic and warned the Afghan Taliban to remain neutral in the Indian proxy conflict.
Relations between the two countries continue to be tense due to refugees, border disputes and anti-terrorism issues. Pakistan builds a border fence, but the Taliban opposes it, saying it violates territory. Refugee camps are crowded with people and are often stopped crossing the border. The failure of intelligence sharing aggravates mutual suspicion. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of becoming a paradise for militants, while Afghanistan retorts that Pakistan itself fails to manage its domestic activities.
The Pakistani Taliban have intensified their attacks on the Pakistani security forces since May 2025, at least once a month in armed conflict. Both sides have been injured and accumulated until the major coup on October 7. The Pakistani military responded by claiming to have killed 30 militants, including those involved in the coup. After the airstrike, the Afghan Taliban said it was declared war, and some media channels called for suicide attacks on Pakistan, but no actual record of actions.
The United Nations Security Council had previously placed Mahmud on the sanctions list on account of his involvement in terrorist activities. He took over as head of the Pakistani Taliban in 2018, and his predecessor died in a drone attack in Afghanistan’s Quna province. The organization engaged in kidnapping and blackmail in Karachi and funded national operations.
The US Central Command is said to have provided intelligence support, and the Pakistan Air Force relies on satellite data for location. Indian media pointed out that after the cooperation between Pakistan and the United States, the style of Pakistan is more and more American. The timing of the air strike was sensitive, just as the Taliban strengthened economic cooperation with India, and Mottaki's visit to India was exempted from travel by the United Nations.