Kabul Hit by Multiple Explosions as Pakistan Reportedly Launches Airstrikes, Killing TTP Chief Noor Wali Mehsud — Top 10 Developments
Kabul was shaken late Thursday night by multiple powerful explosions, reportedly the result of Pakistani airstrikes that allegedly killed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Noor Wali Mehsud. The blasts triggered widespread panic in the Afghan capital, escalating already fragile regional tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.
Here are the 10 key developments so far:
Explosions Rock Kabul:
Residents across several districts of Kabul reported hearing at least two major explosions late Thursday night, followed by the sound of aircraft overhead. Early reports suggest the blasts originated in District 8, home to key government offices and residential areas. The cause is believed to be airstrikes, though Afghan authorities are still investigating.
Taliban Confirms Blasts, Investigations Underway:
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the explosions and said investigations were ongoing. He assured citizens that there was no significant damage and that the situation was under control.
Pakistan’s Military to Hold Press Briefing:
Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif, is set to address the media in Peshawar at 2:30 pm on Friday. Analysts believe the press conference may confirm Pakistan’s involvement in the strikes on Kabul.
Defence Minister’s Warning Preceded Strikes:
Just hours before the reported airstrikes, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Parliament that Islamabad’s patience with Afghanistan had “run out,” accusing Kabul of sheltering militants. His warning — “Enough is enough, terrorism from Afghan soil is intolerable” — is being viewed as a prelude to the strikes.
Internet Shutdown in Islamabad and Rawalpindi:
Authorities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi have suspended mobile internet services indefinitely amid heightened security concerns. Officials have not provided a reason for the blackout, though it appears linked to the developing situation.
Attack Coincides with Afghan FM’s Visit to India:
The explosions occurred just hours after Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, arrived in New Delhi for his first official visit since the Taliban takeover in 2021. Muttaqi, accompanied by a high-level delegation, is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday.
TTP Leader Noor Wali Mehsud Reportedly Killed:
The strikes allegedly targeted and killed TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud in Kabul. Mehsud, born in 1978 in South Waziristan, took over the group in 2018 after the death of Mullah Fazlullah. He had been one of Pakistan’s most wanted militant leaders.
Baloch Leader Condemns Attack, Calls Pakistan a “Rogue State”:
Baloch activist Mir Yar Baloch condemned the reported airstrikes, calling Pakistan a “rogue state” and urging Afghanistan to recognize Balochistan as an independent country. He alleged that Pakistan’s military operations from Baloch and Pashtun territories threaten regional stability.
Border Tensions Intensify:
The Afghanistan-Pakistan border has witnessed a surge in cross-border skirmishes in recent weeks. Thursday night’s explosions are expected to further inflame tensions and complicate bilateral ties between the two neighbors.
Growing Regional Volatility:
Earlier on Thursday, Afghanistan’s foreign minister reportedly declined a meeting request from Pakistan, signaling deepening friction. Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump made remarks about Afghanistan’s Bagram Airbase, fueling speculation about renewed international attention on the region.
The latest developments underscore Afghanistan’s precarious security situation and the rapidly deteriorating relationship between Kabul and Islamabad. Pakistan has not officially confirmed conducting airstrikes, but the incident has already triggered widespread alarm across South Asia.
