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Pakistan experienced significant internal security challenges. A suicide bomber attacked a Shia religious center on the outskirts of Islamabad, killing at least 31 people and wounding over 160. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the bombing. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that four people, including the alleged mastermind, had been arrested. Separately, the military concluded a large-scale security operation in Balochistan province in response to coordinated attacks by Baloch separatist militants, including the Balochistan Liberation Army. Officials reported over 200 militants were killed, while the death toll from the initial attacks rose to at least 177 security personnel and civilians. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated no one would be allowed to rationalize violence, and Pakistan formally asked the UN Security Council to designate the BLA as a terrorist organization.
Cross-border hostilities with Afghanistan escalated sharply. Pakistan launched airstrikes on Kabul and other Afghan provinces, with its defense minister declaring an 'open war' against the Taliban government. Pakistan stated the strikes, which it said targeted militant camps and killed scores of fighters, were in self-defense following a major Taliban offensive and a deadly attack in Bajaur. The Taliban confirmed the strikes and reported dozens killed, including civilians, before launching what it called retaliatory attacks on Pakistani military posts. Both sides traded accusations of initiating clashes along their shared border. The United Nations urged restraint and reported civilian casualties from the Pakistani airstrikes. Pakistan also summoned an Afghan diplomat to formally protest the earlier Bajaur attack.
7 topics | 171 sources
A suicide bomber attacked an imambargah, a Shiite religious center, on the outskirts of Islamabad during prayers. At least 31 people were killed and 169 others were injured, according to initial reports. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. Politicians and diplomats, including Iran's envoy, condemned the bombing. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and directed him to address the security situation in the capital. Four facilitators and the alleged mastermind of the attack were arrested in raids. Thousands of mourners attended the funerals for the victims. The death toll from the attack later rose to 36. Maryam Nawaz, a senior political figure, canceled public events following the bombing.
Pakistan's military concluded a major, week-long security operation in Balochistan province, involving helicopters and drones, in response to coordinated attacks by Baloch separatists. Separately, China condemned terrorist attacks that occurred in Pakistan's Balochistan region.
Gunmen killed five security personnel in an attack in northwest Pakistan. In a separate but related incident, five Pakistani police officers were killed in a militant attack, which Pakistani officials linked to the broader militant violence in the region.
2 topics | 309 sources
Feb 28
Pakistan launches airstrikes inside Afghanistan and declares open war on the Taliban governmentPakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan, including on the capital city of Kabul. The strikes targeted ammunition depots and Taliban headquarters. Pakistan's defense minister described the situation as an 'open war' with Afghanistan's Taliban government. Pakistani officials, including President Zardari and minister Attaullah Tarar, said the military action was in self-defense. They accused the Afghan Taliban of harboring terrorists who have carried out attacks in Pakistan. The Pakistani military said its 'Operation Ghazab Lil Haq' killed hundreds of Taliban fighters. The Afghan Taliban said the strikes killed civilians and Afghan forces. They shot down a Pakistani jet and captured its pilot. The United Nations expressed concern about the cross-border clashes and urged restraint. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation were reported to be intensifying.