Pakistan carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Helmand and Kunar provinces overnight, with both countries confirming the strikes but giving different accounts of the casualties.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government said nine women and children were killed and 11 other civilians were wounded. Pakistan, however, said the strikes targeted militant hideouts and that preliminary reports indicated 22 militants had been killed.
The casualty claims from both sides could not be independently verified.
Afghanistan Says Civilian Homes Were Hit
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Taliban government, said the strikes hit civilian homes in southern Helmand and eastern Kunar provinces.
He said three houses were destroyed, killing nine women and children and injuring 11 other civilians.
“We condemn this act, and consider this an act of aggression and a crime that violates all universally accepted principles,” Mujahid said.
The strikes come amid continued tensions and repeated clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Pakistan has carried out several airstrikes inside Afghanistan as tensions between the two countries have increased.
The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan said last week that it had documented more than 1,100 civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan from cross-border violence so far this year.
Pakistan has denied targeting civilians and maintains that its military operations are aimed at militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Afghanistan has denied allowing militant groups to use its territory to launch attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistan Says 22 Militants Were Killed
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said the strikes targeted militant hideouts and camps at two locations in Afghanistan.
“Initial reports suggest” that 22 militants were killed, the ministry said.
It described the operation as “well planned and calibrated” and said the strikes were carried out with “precision and accuracy”. According to the ministry, large quantities of weapons and ammunition were also found at the targeted locations and destroyed.
“The threat to Pakistan emanates from Afghanistan,” the ministry said, adding that the strikes had targeted militant hubs.
Pakistan also said that maximum precautions had been taken to prevent civilian casualties.
Dispute Over TTP Presence
Pakistan has accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of allowing the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
The TTP is a separate group from the Afghan Taliban, although the two are allied. The Afghan Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
Kabul has repeatedly denied providing safe haven to the TTP and rejected Pakistan’s allegations.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said its campaign against militant groups would continue, while tensions between the two neighbouring countries remain high.
