Children killed, civilians injured in Pakistani forces’ attacks in eastern Afghanistan

At least two children lost their lives, and around 30 individuals sustained injuries in shelling and drone strikes by Pakistani forces in eastern Afghanistan. The attacks, initiated by Pakistani forces, targeted residential areas in Kunar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat highlighted that the assaults, involving mortar, rocket, and drone attacks, predominantly affected civilians, including children.
Two children were wounded, and significant property damage occurred following over 150 mortar and long-range artillery shells hitting Sarkano and Manogai districts in Kunar province. Additionally, eight children were injured, and two children were killed in shelling in the Dosaraki area of Sarkano’s Nawapas region.
In Paktika province’s Shkin district, three civilians sustained injuries due to a drone strike, while two individuals were injured in another drone strike in Zazi Maidan district in Khost. Afghan officials have condemned Pakistan for deliberately targeting civilian areas, causing substantial harm to local communities. Tensions have heightened between Kabul and Islamabad in recent months, with Pakistani airstrikes and artillery fire resulting in numerous casualties in war-torn Afghanistan. Talks between Pakistani and Afghan officials commenced in China’s Urumqi on Thursday.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi mentioned that the Afghan delegation visited China for discussions with Pakistani officials. Minister of Economy Qari Din Mohammad Hanif stated that over 27,000 Afghan families across nine provinces have been displaced due to Pakistan’s military actions. Hanif emphasized that many displaced families lack basic necessities such as food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare. He urged UN agencies and partner organizations to provide humanitarian aid to address the challenges faced by these families.