Pakistan hopes steep cost of airstrikes on Taliban targets will protect against terror attacks

March 18, 2026

TL;DR

Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan aim to force the Taliban to stop supporting Pakistani militants.
The strategy aims to impose a high cost on the Taliban administration to prevent attacks originating from Afghanistan.
Afghan authorities reported an airstrike hit a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, killing 400 people; Islamabad denies this, stating targets were military and terrorist infrastructure.
Pakistan has experienced a surge in terrorist attacks since the Taliban's 2021 takeover, which it attributes to sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
The Taliban has condemned the airstrikes as a violation of sovereignty and threatened retaliation.
Pakistan has also imposed other measures, including border closures and expelling Afghan refugees.
Pakistani officials state the airstrikes are defensive, based on intelligence, and aimed at protecting Pakistani citizens.
Past diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue with the Taliban have been unsuccessful.
Some analysts warn that the military campaign may not succeed and lacks a clear exit strategy, potentially leading to greater instability.
The current Pakistani military leadership is described as resolute in taking strong action against threats.

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