On the evening of the 21st, the Pakistani government announced it had launched coordinated airstrikes on seven locations within Afghanistan, claiming these sites were linked to militant groups operating across the border. The Taliban, who control Afghanistan, reported casualties in the attack, asserting that numerous civilians were harmed, including incidents in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. This follows a recent series of violent incidents attributed to the Islamic State's affiliate and the Pakistan Taliban, which have been conducted against military targets in Pakistan's border towns following an attack on a Shia mosque in Islamabad that left over 30 dead.

The Pakistani Ministry of Information criticized the Taliban for failing to act against these militant groups taking refuge in Afghanistan. In response, they initiated airstrikes targeting bases of the Islamic State and the Pakistan Taliban. The Taliban's defense ministry condemned the airstrikes as a blatant violation of sovereignty, invoking international law and Islamic values while threatening retaliation. Additionally, communications from the Taliban have accused the Pakistani military of attempting to divert attention from their own security weaknesses by carrying out such operations.

Historically, the relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban was characterized by closeness; however, it has deteriorated since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly concerning the treatment of the Pakistan Taliban, who have been implicated in various attacks. Last October saw extensive military clashes resulting in hundreds of fatalities on both sides, necessitating a brief ceasefire mediated through Qatar and Turkey. Meanwhile, the Islamic State has consistently targeted the Taliban, which further emphasizes the growing rift between these groups, with ongoing conflicts suggesting an escalation in regional instability.