Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Bagram air base in Afghanistan on Sunday, marking a major escalation in renewed fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban government.
A Pakistani military official, speaking on condition of anonymity to New York Times, confirmed that “multiple strikes” were conducted to destroy equipment and supplies. Afghan officials too confirmed there had been an attack on the base. Satellite images from Bagram also confirm the strikes.
Residents in Bagram town said they heard at least two explosions shortly after 6 am on Sunday, while some said they also heard the sound of at least one jet.
Afghanistan’s defence ministry called the strike an “aerial assault” but did not say how much damage was caused. Satellite images show that at least one aircraft hangar and two large warehouses in the northern part of the base were destroyed.
New York Times photo
Bagram air base is seen as a key military site. It was the main centre of the 20-year US war in Afghanistan before American forces withdrew in 2021.
The air base is about 25 miles north of Kabul and has Afghanistan’s longest runway at 11,800 feet. The Taliban took control of the base in 2021 after US forces left.
Trump has made it clear he wants the air base, writing on Truth Social last Semptember, “If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!”
New York Times photo
Over the past week, Pakistan has launched airstrikes on Afghan military targets. Pakistani officials have described the campaign as an “open war” against the Taliban government.
Pakistan says it launched the strikes because the Taliban government is giving safe haven to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban which killed hundreds of Pakistani security personnel.
Afghan officials have denied supporting the group and launched retaliatory strikes against Pakistan.
