In a devastating escalation of cross-border tensions, Pakistani military aircraft conducted air strikes in eastern Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of nine children and several other casualties. The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan has condemned the attacks and vowed to respond with appropriate measures.
Deadly Morning Raids Claim Young Lives
The air strikes occurred early Monday in the border provinces of Khost and Paktika, targeting what Pakistan claims were militant hideouts. However, local Afghan authorities reported that the attacks primarily affected civilian areas, with children being the main victims.
According to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, the Pakistani military conducted airstrikes around 3 AM local time in Barmal district of Paktika province and in Sepera district of Khost province. The death toll confirmed by Afghan officials includes nine children and three women, with several other civilians injured in the bombardment.
Taliban Government's Strong Response
The Afghan Ministry of Defense issued a strongly worded statement following the attacks, declaring that "the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has the right to respond to any aggression" and would take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty. The ministry emphasized that such attacks violate international law and Afghanistan's territorial integrity.
Taliban officials have summoned Pakistan's diplomatic representative in Kabul to protest what they describe as "unprovoked aggression." The Afghan government warned that continued such actions would damage bilateral relations and could lead to serious consequences for regional stability.
Pakistan's Justification and Regional Implications
Pakistan's military has not officially commented on the specific incident, but security sources in Islamabad have indicated that the strikes targeted positions of the Pakistani Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP), which they claim operates from Afghan soil.
This incident represents one of the most serious cross-border military actions since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban government has been increasingly strained in recent months, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of not doing enough to prevent TTP militants from using Afghan territory to launch attacks against Pakistan.
The border regions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have long been volatile, with militant groups operating across the porous frontier. However, direct military action across the border marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighboring countries.
International observers are closely monitoring the situation, concerned that the conflict could further destabilize an already volatile region. Humanitarian organizations have expressed alarm about the impact on civilian populations in the border areas, where communities have already suffered from decades of conflict and instability.
