Afghanistan on Wednesday accused Pakistan of carrying out new airstrikes on its territory, saying the attacks killed at least 13 people, most of them children, and wounded 14 others.
Details of the Attacks
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan's Taliban-led regime, said the strikes hit the provinces of Khost, Kunar, and Paktika. “Crime. Last night, the Pakistani army once again violated Afghan airspace and bombed civilian homes in the provinces of Kunar, Khost, and Paktika,” Mujahid posted on X. He added: “These attacks resulted in the deaths of 11 children, one woman, and one elderly man, with 14 others, including women and children, injured. We strongly condemn this humanitarian crime and this aggression.”
Pakistan's Response and Regional Context
Pakistan did not immediately acknowledge the strikes. The accusations come amid broader regional tensions, including renewed US-Iran hostilities in the Middle East and unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where anti-government protests have turned violent. The two countries have been engaged in months of cross-border clashes that have killed hundreds since late February, when Afghanistan launched retaliatory attacks following Pakistani airstrikes. Temporary ceasefires have periodically halted the fighting, but have not held.
Allegations and Denials
Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering militants, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it says carries out attacks inside Pakistan. The group is separate from but aligned with the Afghan Taliban, who have ruled Afghanistan since taking power in 2021 after the US-led withdrawal. Kabul denies the allegation.
This incident adds to the ongoing cycle of violence between the two neighboring nations, with civilian populations bearing the brunt of the conflict.
