Pakistan airstrikes kill three in Afghanistan

Pakistan struck sites in Afghanistan's Kunar and Paktika provinces on Monday. Afghanistan's Taliban authorities said a house in Kunar was hit, killing three family members and injuring four. Pakistan's information ministry said it struck three sites used to train suicide bombers and killed twenty-eight militants.

• 3 killedDeaths reported in Kunar — Afghan authorities’ account
• 4 injuredFamily members injured in Kunar — Afghan authorities’ account
• 28 militantsDeaths claimed by Pakistan — Pakistan’s account

Q1

Where did the strikes land?

Afghan officials identified Nurgal district in Kunar, while Pakistan also described targets in Paktika and Nangarhar near the border.

Q2

What prompted Pakistan's operation?

It followed an attack on a police facility in Kohat; Pakistan described the Afghan targets as suicide-bomber training facilities linked to militants.

Q3

How recent were comparable strikes?

The operation was Pakistan's first strike of this type inside Afghanistan since June, after months of fighting following February clashes.

Q4

Why does this raise regional concerns?

The strikes end nearly three months of relative calm and could complicate Chinese efforts to mediate between Islamabad and Kabul.