In a significant escalation of cross-border tensions, Pakistani military forces conducted overnight airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of ten civilians, including nine children. The Taliban government has condemned the attack and vowed to respond appropriately at what it called the right time.
Civilian Casualties and Taliban Condemnation
The airstrikes targeted residential areas in Khost province, where Pakistani invading forces bombed the house of a local civilian resident, according to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. The attack resulted in devastating civilian casualties, with nine children—five boys and four girls—and one woman losing their lives.
Mujahid took to social media platform X to issue a strong statement, declaring that the Islamic Emirate strongly condemns this violation and crime. He emphasized that defending Afghanistan's airspace, territory, and people represents the Taliban government's legitimate right, and they would respond appropriately when the time is right.
Expanding Conflict Zones and Previous Attacks
The violence was not confined to Khost province alone. Additional strikes reportedly hit border regions in Kunar and Paktika, where four more civilians sustained injuries, according to information shared by the Taliban spokesman and reported by AFP.
These latest airstrikes come just one day after a major security incident in Pakistan, where two suicide bombers and a gunman attacked the Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar's Saddar area. That attack resulted in three officers killed and eleven others wounded before security forces neutralized the attackers.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the Peshawar bombing, suspicion has fallen on the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The timing suggests these airstrikes may represent retaliatory action, though Pakistani military and government officials have not immediately commented on the allegations.
Diplomatic Efforts and Regional Tensions
Despite the escalating violence, diplomatic channels remain active. Following the Peshawar bombing, a Pakistani diplomat met with a senior Afghan provincial leader to discuss security concerns, indicating ongoing communication between the two nations.
This incident marks the latest in a series of cross-border clashes that began over a month ago when Afghanistan accused Pakistan of conducting drone strikes in Kabul. A ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey in October remains technically in place, despite these latest reported strikes, with neither country issuing official statements about the recent incident.
Regional powers are watching the situation closely, with Iran offering to play a role in easing tensions between the neighboring countries. The situation remains volatile as both sides navigate complex security challenges and diplomatic pressures.
