Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes in Afghanistan Targeting Terrorist Bases

Pakistan launched airstrikes in Afghanistan, stating they were in self-defense following a wave of terrorist attacks linked to groups based in Afghanistan, after Kabul reportedly failed to curb these terror bases.

23 Feb, 14:02 — 24 Feb, 04:03

Low (19/100)

2 sourcesNo spread1 region

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Why this matters

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a complex, often tense border, with cross-border terrorism being a major point of contention. Pakistan frequently accuses Afghanistan of harboring militant groups like the TTP, which carry out attacks within Pakistan. These airstrikes represent a significant escalation in Pakistan's efforts to counter these threats, potentially leading to further regional instability and diplomatic fallout.

ℹAll sources from Pakistan region

ℹOnly 2 sources cover this story

Perspective Analysis

AI-generated comparison of how 2 sources cover this story

Both news outlets frame Pakistan's airstrikes in Afghanistan as a justified response to cross-border terrorism, largely aligning on the narrative that Pakistan acted in self-defense. While both highlight the link between recent attacks in Pakistan and groups based in Afghanistan, one outlet provides a more explicit justification by citing Kabul's failure to curb terror bases.

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

dawn

express-tribune

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyTone

Dawncentercenter-rightanalyticalJustifies strikes as an inevitable reaction.

express-tribunecenterrighturgentStrongly justifies strikes as indispensable self-defense.

Coverage leans: center-right

The coverage generally leans center-right by justifying Pakistan's military action as a necessary response to terrorism originating from Afghanistan.

What sources agree on

Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan.
The airstrikes targeted terrorist bases.
The strikes were a reaction to a recent wave of terrorist attacks targeting Pakistan.
Violent groups linked to these attacks are based in Afghanistan.

Where they diverge

The specific rationale and urgency behind Pakistan's airstrikes

Dawn

Frames the strikes as an "imminent reaction" to a "wave of terrorist attacks," suggesting inevitability.

express-tribune

Frames the strikes as "indispensable self-defence" due to Kabul's "failure to curb TTP terror bases," emphasizing necessity and Afghan culpability.

Key claims5 agreed · 1 unverified

✓

Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan.

agreed·Dawnexpress-tribune

✓

The airstrikes targeted terrorist bases.

agreed·Dawnexpress-tribune

✓

The strikes were a reaction to a recent wave of terrorist attacks targeting Pakistan.

Coverage gaps

The assertion that Kabul failed to curb TTP terror bases

Reportedexpress-tribune

MissingDawn

Perspective Analysis

Comparing sources…

External Fact-Checks

Claims matched against human-vetted fact-check databases

✗False

Video of military action in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Unknown·7 May 2025Read →

Story evolution

Initial Reporting and JustificationFeb 23 afternoon

Early reports immediately framed the strikes as indispensable self-defense due to Afghan inaction.

Further ContextualizationFeb 24 morning

Subsequent coverage reinforced the narrative of the strikes being an imminent and necessary reaction to ongoing terrorist threats.

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

No articles

Center

Dawn

Afghan strikes

express-tribune

Indispensable strikes

Right-leaning

No articles

Key entities

Pakistanperpetrator of airstrikes Afghanistantarget of airstrikes Kabulaccused of failing to curb terror TTPterrorist group

Coverage Timeline

First report: express-tribune · 23 Feb, 14:02|Full coverage: All 2 sources within 14h|Window: 14h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

express-tribune23 Feb, 14:02First to report

Indispensable strikes

14h later

Dawn24 Feb, 04:03Latest update

Afghan strikes

Read at source (2 outlets)

Dawn3h ago

Afghan strikes

IN the wake of the recent wave of terrorist attacks targeting Pakistan, with most of the atrocities linked to violent groups based in Afghanistan, a reaction appeared imminent. Last week, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan would target Afghanistan if the terrorist violence continued. The latest strikes reported on Sunday bear out the minister’s comments. The state says several TTP and IS-K camps have been hit in the neighbouring country, specifically in the Nangarhar and Pakti...

By none@none.com (Editorial)

Read full article →

express-tribune17h ago

Indispensable strikes

Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan were self-defence after Kabul failed to curb TTP terror bases

By editorial

Read full article →

Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes in Afghanistan Targeting Terrorist Bases

Why this matters

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims5 agreed · 1 unverified

Coverage gaps

Perspective Analysis

External Fact-Checks

Story evolution

How outlets covered this

Left-leaning

Center

Afghan strikes

Indispensable strikes

Right-leaning

Key entities

Coverage Timeline

Indispensable strikes

Afghan strikes

Read at source (2 outlets)

Afghan strikes

Indispensable strikes

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Why this matters

Story evolution

Key entities

External Fact-Checks

Perspective Analysis

Political spectrum

What sources agree on

Where they diverge

Key claims5 agreed · 1 unverified

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix