Pakistan on February 22nd said it killed at least 70 militants in cross-border airstrikes inside Afghanistan on February 22, targeting groups linked to the Pakistani Taliban and the Islamic State. However, Afghanistan’s Taliban government claims civilians, including women and children, were killed and has vowed retaliation. The escalation follows deadly suicide bombings in Pakistan, including a mosque attack that killed over 30 people. Kabul denies allowing militants to use Afghan soil for attacks. India has strongly condemned Pakistan’s strikes, with External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirming support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty. The fresh tensions mark a sharp downturn in relations between Islamabad and Kabul, raising concerns about wider instability in the region.