“Pakistani aircraft ‘bombarded civilian homes’ in Khost and Paktika provinces,” reports a Taliban government spokesperson, heightening tensions in the region. The strikes have sparked concerns over civilian casualties and further escalation of violence along the border.
“Kabul: Taliban Spokesperson Condemns Pakistan Military for ‘Reckless’ Air Strikes Killing Eight, Including Women and Children”Border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have risen since the Taliban government seized power in 2021, with Islamabad claiming militant groups are carrying out regular attacks from the neighbouring country.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan aircraft “bombed civilian homes” in Khost and Paktika provinces near the border with Pakistan at around 3:00 am (2230 GMT Sunday).
On Monday, a tragic incident unfolded in the border regions of Afghanistan as eight civilians, including women and children, lost their lives in air strikes carried out by the Pakistan military. The Taliban government’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, condemned these strikes as reckless and a blatant violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. He warned of potential dire consequences, stressing that such actions could spiral out of Pakistan’s control.
The strikes targeted civilian homes in Khost and Paktika provinces near the border with Pakistan, occurring around 3:00 am local time. The Taliban government strongly condemned these attacks, emphasizing the need to respect Afghanistan’s territorial integrity.
This incident has further heightened border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, exacerbated by Islamabad’s accusations that militant groups operate from Afghan soil to launch attacks on Pakistani territory.
In response to these accusations, a local government official in Pakistan’s border regions, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed to AFP that the Pakistani military conducted the air strikes in retaliation for alleged targeting of Pakistani territory by Afghan forces. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the strikes and the events leading up to them remain subject to investigation and further clarification.
