The Afghan defense ministry announced early on Sunday that it would retaliate at the appropriate time to the Pakistani airstrikes, which reportedly targeted civilian areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, resulting in the deaths of 25 civilians. The ministry highlighted that the strikes affected a religious school and homes, causing numerous casualties, among them women and children, and held the Pakistani military responsible for targeting civilians and religious sites. Furthermore, this has been condemned as a violation of Afghan airspace and a breach of international law and neighboring principles.

On the other hand, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar justified the airstrikes, claiming they targeted seven sites based on intelligence about what he termed terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and the Islamic State Khorasan branch in border areas of Afghanistan. He argued that these airstrikes were in response to a series of planned attacks within Pakistan, allegedly orchestrated from Afghan territory by Afghan nationals. Tarar stated that Pakistan possesses "conclusive evidence" linking these recent attacks to Afghan-based terrorists.

This exchange highlights the tense relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly following the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan. Both countries have accused each other of harboring and supporting militant groups that pose threats to their national security. The civilian casualties from the recent airstrikes have sparked international concern over the humanitarian impact and the potential for further escalation between the two nations.