Pakistani military forces carried out deadly aerial strikes in the eastern Afghan provinces of Khost, Kunar, and Paktika last midnight, killing ten civilians, all of whom were women and children
Pakistani military forces carried out deadly aerial strikes in the eastern Afghan
Pakistani military forces carried out deadly aerial strikes in the eastern Afghan provinces of Khost, Kunar, and Paktika last midnight, killing ten civilians, all of whom were women and children.
The bombardment has significantly heightened cross-border tensions, which have been strained by disputes over armed groups operating along the shared border and border issues.
According to figures released by officials in Afghanistan, the strikes resulted in a total of 10 fatalities and 10 injuries across the three provinces.
The majority of the casualties were concentrated in Khost, where 10 people were killed and 3 injured.
Seven of the victims killed were female children.
Residential homes in the targeted areas were reported to be partially or completely destroyed. Separately, Kunar reported six injuries and Paktika reported one injury.
The military action, which has not been immediately acknowledged by Islamabad, follows a surge in security incidents in Pakistan, which routinely accuses Afghanistan's ruling Taliban of harboring members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a charge Kabul denies.
The strike also comes just a day after a deadly attack on a security headquarters in Peshawar, Pakistan, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for that assault.
The escalation in hostilities unfolded even as a high-level Afghan delegation, led by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, is on an official, five-day tour to India.
The minister's visit is focused on deepening bilateral trade and exploring avenues for economic cooperation, signaling Kabul's effort to diversify its commercial ties amid the ongoing instability and recent border closures with Pakistan.
The timing of the airstrikes, therefore, carries a significant diplomatic implication, underscoring the regional volatility as Afghanistan attempts to foster closer economic ties with India, a key rival of Pakistan.
Recent months have seen a major spike in tensions along the Durand Line, with previous Pakistani air strikes targeting alleged militant hideouts and subsequent border clashes leading to multiple casualties on both sides.
