Several Afghan civilians lost their lives and many others were injured in Pakistan’s airstrikes targeting civilian areas along the border shared by the two countries. Kabul claimed that the strikes hit residential locations, while Islamabad justified the action as targeting Afghan-based “terrorist groups” responsible for recent attacks in Pakistan.
The Afghan government reported that “dozens of people” were killed or wounded in the bombardment. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the attacks, stating that civilians, including women and children, were among the casualties in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the operation, mentioning that the airstrikes were aimed at seven terrorist camps and hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban and its affiliates in the border region. The operation also targeted an alleged affiliate of the Islamic State group, linked to a recent deadly mosque attack in Islamabad.
Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have heightened since the Taliban took control of Kabul in 2021. The relationship between the two nations has deteriorated due to border clashes and accusations from Islamabad about Afghan soil harboring militants targeting Pakistan.
