On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Afghan Taliban government accused Pakistan of launching drone strikes in Nangarhar and Khost provinces on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at approximately 11:00 PM, killing three children and injuring seven civilians, prompting Kabul to summon Pakistan’s ambassador to protest the violation of Afghan sovereignty.
The accusations underscore deepening mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan, risking further instability in South Asia, where cross-border militancy and diplomatic frictions hinder regional cooperation on security and economic initiatives.
Details of the Alleged Drone Strikes
The Afghan Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Pakistani drones targeted civilian homes in two border provinces. In Khost’s Spera district, near Pakistan’s North Waziristan, a drone strike hit the residence of Haji Naeem Khan, killing three children and injuring several others, according to a provincial media official. In Nangarhar’s Shinwar district, close to the eastern border, a drone attack struck the home of Shahsawar, injuring four of his sons and two wives with two missiles. According to the Afghan Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the strikes were a “clear violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity.”
The Taliban’s statement condemned the attacks as “irresponsible” and warned of consequences. On Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM, Pakistan’s ambassador, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, was summoned to Kabul and handed a formal protest note. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) have not issued a public response, leaving the allegations unconfirmed.
Escalating Tensions in South Asia
The Afghan Taliban accuse Pakistan of drone strikes amid already strained relations. Pakistan claims the Taliban shelter the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, including a recent surge in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Kabul denies these claims, asserting that Pakistan hosts Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) militants. The accusations follow a trilateral meeting in Kabul on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China, where leaders vowed to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts and expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. The drone strikes threaten to derail these commitments.
Background
Pakistan and Afghanistan have a history of cross-border tensions. In December 2024, Kabul accused Pakistan of airstrikes in Paktika province, which allegedly killed 46 civilians, though Pakistan claimed the targets were TTP hideouts. Earlier, in August 2022, the Taliban alleged Pakistan allowed U.S. drones to use its airspace to strike al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul, a claim Islamabad rejected. Pakistan’s own experience with U.S. drone strikes between 2004 and 2018, which killed an estimated 2,000–4,000 people, including civilians, has long fuelled anti-drone sentiment in the region.
Civilian Toll and Diplomatic Strain
The reported deaths of three children in Khost have sparked outrage in Afghanistan, with local officials calling the strikes a breach of international law. In Nangarhar, the attack on Shahsawar’s home left his family in critical condition, according to deputy governor Azizullah Mustafa. According to the Afghan Taliban’s Ministry of Defence, such attacks undermine trust between the two nations. The Taliban’s protest note to Pakistan’s ambassador emphasised that Afghanistan’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Pakistan’s silence on the matter complicates verification. Ambassador Nizamani, who survived a 2022 attack on Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul, faces renewed pressure as Kabul demands accountability. The incident risks further straining bilateral ties, already weakened by border clashes and mutual accusations of supporting militancy.
What’s Next
As the Afghan Taliban accuse Pakistan of drone strikes, the lack of a clear response from Islamabad could escalate diplomatic tensions. With both nations grappling with internal security threats and regional counter-terrorism obligations, the incident may disrupt ongoing dialogues and economic projects, potentially destabilising South Asia further.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August 29th, 2025
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