Pakistan-Afghanistan War: Fresh Explosions Rattle Eastern Afghanistan, Jalalabad Hit After Deadly Strikes

Fresh explosions rattled eastern Afghanistan on Saturday morning, deepening fears of a widening confrontation between Islamabad and Kabul. The blasts in Jalalabad came just a day after Pakistan carried out deadly air strikes in multiple Afghan cities, marking one of the most serious escalations between the two neighbours in recent years.

Explosions Rock Jalalabad After Jet Sighting

Two loud explosions were heard in Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, according to an AFP journalist on the ground. The reporter said a jet flew overhead moments before the blasts, which appeared to originate from the direction of the city's airport.

Jalalabad sits along the strategic highway that links Kabul with the Pakistani border, making it a sensitive military and logistical corridor. The timing and location of the explosions have intensified speculation about renewed aerial activity in the area.

There was no immediate confirmation from Afghan authorities about the nature or extent of the reported strikes.

Pakistan Expands Ground and Air Operations

Pakistan's armed forces reportedly pressed ahead with overnight operations targeting Afghan Taliban positions. According to The Dawn, security sources claimed that the Pakistan Air Force targeted a brigade and battalion headquarters of the Afghan Taliban in Nangarhar province.

On the ground, Pakistani troops were said to have seized the New Afghan 8 post before destroying it with explosives. Another Taliban post in the Noshki sector was also reportedly demolished, further underscoring the scale of the operation.

The developments suggest that the confrontation is no longer limited to isolated air raids but has evolved into coordinated ground and aerial actions.

Kabul Signals Talks Even as Strikes Continue

Even as tensions flared, Afghanistan's Taliban administration indicated on Friday that it was open to dialogue. The signal came only hours after Pakistan conducted strikes in Kabul, Kandahar and other cities, which both sides described as a sharp escalation in hostilities.

At the same time, Kabul's Taliban-led forces launched drone attacks under Operation "Rad al-Zulm", targeting Pakistani military camps in Miranshah and Spinwam, according to security sources cited by TOLOnews.

The exchange of strikes on both sides of the border highlights the fragile and volatile nature of relations between the two countries, with diplomacy and military action unfolding almost simultaneously.

As the situation develops, regional observers warn that continued retaliation risks pushing the crisis into a prolonged and destabilising conflict unless immediate diplomatic channels are activated.