As of October 10, 2025, multiple media outlets and social media reports indicate that Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) since 2018, was targeted and possibly killed in an airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan, on the night of October 9. The strike is widely attributed to Pakistani forces, marking a rare and bold cross-border operation deep into Afghan territory. However, confirmation remains unverified, with no official statements from Pakistani or Taliban authorities, and some conflicting claims emerging.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Key Details from Reports:
- Location and Nature of the Strike: Explosions were reported near Abdul Haq Square in central Kabul. Sources describe it as a precision drone or fighter jet airstrike targeting a vehicle carrying Mehsud and potential TTP successors, including Qari Saifullah Mehsud and Khalid Mehsud. Eyewitnesses noted the vehicle was severely damaged, with Mehsud reportedly moving freely inside at the time.
- Casualties and Status: Initial reports from Afghan media and security analysts claim Mehsud was killed, along with his bodyguard and deputies. However, some updates suggest all three survived, describing it as a “major miss” for Pakistan. No civilian casualties have been confirmed, but the strike’s urban location raises concerns.
- Context and Timing: The operation occurs amid escalating Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions over TTP safe havens in Afghanistan. It coincides with the Taliban acting foreign minister’s visit to India, interpreted by analysts as a strategic signal from Pakistan to both Kabul and New Delhi. Mehsud, born in 1978 in South Waziristan, Pakistan, has a $5 million U.S. bounty on his head for orchestrating attacks on Pakistani forces and civilians.
Official Responses:
- Pakistan: No comment from military or government sources, though Pakistani media outlets are aggressively reporting the strike as a success.
- Taliban/Afghanistan: Investigations are underway, but no public statement has been issued. Taliban-affiliated channels warn of potential retaliation, including suicide bombings in Pakistan.
- TTP: Silent so far, which could indicate disarray if the strike succeeded.
Broader Implications:
This incident represents the first reported Pakistani airstrike inside Kabul, potentially heightening regional instability. If confirmed, Mehsud’s death could fracture TTP leadership and reduce attacks on Pakistan, but it risks broader Taliban-Pakistan conflict. Analysts note past unconfirmed reports of Mehsud’s death (e.g., in 2021 drone strikes), urging caution.
Updates are evolving rapidly; monitoring official channels is recommended for verification.
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