Pakistani Airstrikes in Afghanistan Kill Dozens Amid Rising Border Tensions
Deadly cross-border strikes escalate tensions as Pakistan and Afghanistan trade accusations over civilian and militant casualties.
- Dozens killed in Pakistani strikes in Afghan border provinces.
- Afghanistan reports civilian deaths; Pakistan says militants targeted.
- Rising tensions follow breakdown of ceasefire and ongoing clashes.
Pakistan has carried out airstrikes and deployed ground forces across parts of Afghanistan’s eastern border provinces, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people and escalating tensions between the two neighbours.
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities say at least 36 civilians, including women and children, were killed and more than 160 others injured in the attacks carried out on Sunday. They described the operation as a “cowardly act” and a “crime and atrocity,” alleging that civilian homes were struck during the raids.
Pakistan, however, said the strikes targeted militant hideouts and claimed that 29 fighters were killed. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the operation was a response to recent attacks on Pakistani civilians and security forces.
The strikes reportedly hit areas in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces, with the village of Mandokhail in Paktika said to have suffered the highest casualties.
The latest violence comes amid long-standing accusations between the two countries. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harbouring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, a claim rejected by the Taliban government, which in turn accuses Pakistan of conducting unprovoked strikes that harm civilians.
