Pakistan carries out strikes in Afghanistan after spate of suicide attacks

"Pakistan's military has carried out air strikes in Afghanistan, targeting what it called camps and hideouts belonging to armed groups behind a spate of recent attacks, including a suicide bombing that killed dozens of worshippers at a Shia mosque in Islamabad. There was no immediate comment from Afghanistan's Taliban government, but Afghan sources told Al Jazeera the strikes on Sunday hit two border provinces."

"The ministry said it had conclusive evidence that recent attacks in Islamabad, as well as in the northwestern Bajaur and Bannu districts, were perpetrated by fighters on behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers. It said Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban government to take action to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks, but that Kabul has failed to undertake any substantive action."

Pakistan conducted intelligence-based air and drone strikes across Afghanistan's border regions, targeting seven camps and hideouts attributed to the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) and affiliates, and an Islamic State affiliate. Afghan sources reported strikes in Paktika and Nangarhar provinces, including a drone strike on a religious school in Paktika. The Pakistani ministry claimed conclusive evidence linking recent attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu to fighters directed from Afghanistan and said it repeatedly urged the Taliban government to act but received no substantive response. The strikes followed a series of attacks inside Pakistan, including suicide bombings that killed security personnel and worshippers.

Read at www.aljazeera.com