Afghanistan forces have carried out airstrikes against ISIS-linked targets in Pakistan. In a statement, the Afghan Ministry said the attacks were carried out last night against ISIS facilities in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. The strikes inflicted heavy casualties and significant financial losses on ISIS and its supporters.

It added that the attacks were carried out with high precision against designated targets and caused no civilian casualties. The strikes came just days after 36 civilians, including women and children, were killed, while 163 others were injured in Pakistani military airstrikes in Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. Following these strikes by Pakistan, Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission has urged the United Nations and the wider international community to closely monitor the situation.

The airstrikes have drawn widespread international concern. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to protect civilians. Earlier, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of Pakistan’s Embassy in Kabul to lodge a strong protest.