Afghanistan has reportedly restricted media and civilian access to areas affected by recent Pakistani airstrikes, according to regional news sources.
Pakistan stated that its air operations were conducted based on what it described as credible intelligence, targeting locations allegedly linked to militant groups operating inside Afghanistan. The strikes were reported in several provinces, including Paktika, Khost, Nangarhar, and parts of Behsud district.
According to reports cited by The South Asia Times, Afghan authorities limited access to the impacted areas. State-run Afghan media broadcast footage from Behsud district showing debris but did not provide coverage of other reported strike locations. Requests by journalists to visit areas such as Khogyani in Nangarhar and parts of Khost were reportedly denied.
Residents in some of the affected provinces claimed that, following the airstrikes, Taliban forces secured and cordoned off several sites. Local accounts suggested that militant groups, along with their families, had been present in certain areas for an extended period. However, independent verification of these claims remains limited due to the access restrictions.
The limitations on media access have led to questions regarding the number of casualties and the broader impact of the strikes. Analysts note that restricting independent reporting can complicate efforts to establish verified accounts of events on the ground.
The situation underscores ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border militancy and security concerns. Further independent investigation would be required to confirm the full scope and implications of the reported operations.
