Dozens killed as Pakistan conducts airstrikes inside Afghanistan, Kabul calls it ‘bombing of civilians’

Kabul ; Dozens of Afghan civilians were killed and injured after the Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, triggering sharp reactions from both Kabul and Islamabad.

According to the Afghan government, the strikes hit residential areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the operation in a post on X, alleging that civilians bore the brunt of the attack.

“Last night, they bombed our civilian compatriots in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, martyring and wounding dozens of people, including women and children,” Mujahid said, adding that the strikes targeted populated areas rather than militant hideouts.

Islamabad, however, defended the operation, saying it was aimed at terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil. Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Information Minister, confirmed the action in a statement on X.

“Pakistan has carried out intelligence-based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Pakistani Taliban and its affiliates in the border region,” Tarar said. He added that the strikes came after three attacks inside Pakistan since the start of Ramadan last week.

Tarar further stated that an affiliate of the Islamic State group was also targeted. The group had claimed responsibility for a recent mosque bombing in Islamabad that killed 31 people and injured more than 160, one of the deadliest attacks in the capital since the 2008 Marriott hotel bombing.

In a separate statement, the Pakistan Army said, “Despite repeated efforts to urge the Afghan Taliban regime to take verifiable measures to deny the use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups and foreign proxies to carry out terrorist activities in Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban regime failed to undertake any substantive action against them.”

The army added, “Pakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region, but at the same time, the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority.”

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated since the Taliban regained power in Kabul in 2021. While Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harbouring militants, the Taliban government has repeatedly denied the allegations, setting the stage for continued diplomatic and military friction along the volatile border.