The Taliban government reported the deaths of four civilians following overnight Pakistani air raids on southern and eastern Afghan provinces, including Kandahar. The Pakistani Air Force targeted 10 sites used for storing and launching drones in retaliation for incursions detected on Sept. 23, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. Islamabad described the strikes as a calibrated act of self-defence, while Kabul denied launching any drone attacks against its neighbor.

Tensions between the two nations have escalated after a month of terror attacks in Pakistan, including a Sept. 18 bombing of a mosque in Kohat, which Islamabad blames on TTP militants sheltering in Afghanistan. Additional skirmishes were reported at the border in Chaman, where Pakistan claims its military used artillery to force Taliban units to abandon positions after they opened fire on border posts.