'Enough is enough': Pakistan Air Force strikes Afghanistan's Kabul amid TTP attacks

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif

Two powerful blasts and gunfire were heard in Afghanistan's Kabul on Thursday night after Pakistan Air Force reportedly launched an attack on the capital city in a bid to eliminate Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud.

According to witnesses cited by CNN-News18, the sound of a fighter jet was also heard over the city’s airspace.

The late-night operation came merely hours after Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif declared that Islamabad would no longer tolerate cross-border terror attacks from Afghan territory and has "run out" of patience, proclaiming "enough is enough".

While addressing the National Assembly, Asif said, “enough is enough”, warning that Islamabad would no longer tolerate the use of Afghan territory for terrorism.

The warning came amid heightened tensions after the killing of 11 Pakistani security personnel, including a lieutenant colonel and a major, in an exchange of fire with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan terrorist group in the Orakzai district.

Addressing lawmakers, Asif warned that Pakistan would pursue terrorist facilitators “wherever they are,” suggesting possible stronger measures if Afghanistan fails to act against cross-border militancy.

The remarks by Pakistan's defence minister came amid the visit of foreign minister of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi to India -- marking a first high-level diplomatic engagement with New Delhi since the group seized power in 2021 after two decades of US military presence.

"Our patience has limits. Those who shelter or facilitate terrorists -- whether in Pakistan or Afghanistan -- will face the consequences," he was quoted as saying by Dawn.

According to Asif, Pakistan had directly raised its concerns over cross-border militancy with the Afghan Taliban during a Kabul visit three years ago, but the Taliban offered only ambiguous promises.

"We told Afghan officials that 6,000–7,000 people were settled on your soil who pose a threat to us," Asif said.

Explosion heard in Afghanistan's Kabul

Afghan authorities reported an explosion occured in the capital city of Kabul late on Thursday night, as reported by Dawn.

According to Dawn, the explosion occured near Abdul Haq Square, where a Land Cruiser vehicle was reportedly hit. Afghan media outlet Tolo News cited local residents as saying that the Abdul Haq intersection was closed following the incident, leading to severe traffic congestion in the area.

In a post on X, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabeehullah Mujahid said, "The sound of an explosion was heard in the city of Kabul. However, no one should worry, it is all well and good, the investigation of the incident is underway, no report of any damage has been given so far."