Pakistan strikes Afghanistan again: At least 26 killed in fresh escalation

Pakistan on Wednesday carried out fresh airstrikes inside Afghanistan, claiming to have killed at least 26 "khawarijs" (militants).

The strikes marked the third armed confrontation between the two countries since October last year.

The attacks were first reported by Zabihullah Hamid, spokesperson of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime, and were later confirmed by Pakistan's information minister Ataullah Tarar.

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“Crime. Last night, the Pakistani army once again violated Afghan airspace and bombed civilian homes in the provinces of Kunar, Khost, and Paktika,” Mujahid posted on X.

He added: “These attacks resulted in the deaths of 11 children, one woman, and one elderly man, with 14 others, including women and children, injured. We strongly condemn this humanitarian crime and this aggression."


Hours later, Tarar described the strikes as a “precise and calibrated” operation carried out against two “Fitna Al Khwarij” (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) commanders in retaliation for recent terror attacks in Pakistan.

“Based on credible intelligence, selective targeting of camps and hideouts was carried out with precision and accuracy. Four targets were completely destroyed including a training centre, a hideout & an ammunition cache and a Marakiz (hub) belonging to the Fitna Al Khwarij Commander Aleem Khan Khushali and Commander Akhtar Muhammad Jani Khel," the minister wrote on social media.

Tarar cited recent attacks, including the assault on a Federal Constabulary post in Musa Dara on June 9, vehicle-borne suicide attacks on a military post in North Waziristan on June 2, and an attack on a police station in Bannu on May 9.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of failing to prevent cross-border attacks, a charge the Taliban denies.

The current strikes came amid efforts by China to mediate peace between the two neighbours. Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 2,611-kilometre-long border known as the Durand Line, which Kabul has not formally recognised.

(With PTI inputs)

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