Bagram Air Base Targeted by Pakistan, Afghanistan Says

The Afghan military thwarted a Pakistani airstrike on the former U.S. Bagram Air Base amid an intensifying campaign that has targeted dozens of military sites across Afghanistan. Pakistan's attack comes as tensions escalate between the two neighboring countries over accusations of harboring militants. Afghanistan has responded by attacking Pakistani outposts along their 1,600-mile shared border, rejecting Pakistan's claims that they support the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban. While Afghan officials publicly deny supporting the militant group, they have privately acknowledged the presence of TTP militants in Afghanistan. The Bagram Air Base, once a critical hub for U.S. and NATO forces during the two-decade-long war in Afghanistan, has remained a strategic military site even after the American withdrawal. The recent Pakistani airstrike represents a significant escalation in already strained relations between the two countries. Afghanistan, now under Taliban rule since August 2021, has been increasingly asserting its sovereignty while dealing with internal challenges and external pressures. The cross-border tensions highlight the complex geopolitical landscape in the region, where militant groups continue to exploit porous borders and fragile governance structures. The ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan threatens to destabilize an already volatile region. Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of providing safe havens for militant groups that launch attacks from Afghan soil into Pakistan. The Afghan government, in turn, has accused Pakistan of supporting the Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) and other anti-Taliban factions operating from Pakistani territory. The United States and other international actors have urged both countries to de-escalate tensions and work toward diplomatic solutions, as instability in either country could have far-reaching consequences for regional security and counterterrorism efforts.