According to Pakistan, the weekend attacks targeted hideouts and safe havens used by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, across the Afghan border. Islamabad has blamed militants allegedly supported by Afghanistan's Taliban regime for a series of attacks on its security forces.

The Taliban has denied the accusation, and said Pakistan is violating Afghan sovereignty.

Ibraheem Bahiss from the International Crisis Group told DW the border remains central to global counterterrorism concerns, warning that further instability could benefit extremist groups and trigger new humanitarian crises.