Pakistan Air Strikes Target Paktika Province
Pakistan launched air strikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province late Tuesday, killing 46 people, including many women and children. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the attack, stating that four locations in the Barmal district were hit. Six others, mostly children, sustained injuries.
Taliban Condemns “Barbaric” Attack
The Taliban’s defense ministry strongly criticized the strikes, calling them “barbaric” and an act of “clear aggression.” In a statement, they asserted their right to defend Afghanistan’s sovereignty and vowed to respond to what they termed as a “cowardly act.”
Civilians Bear the Brunt
Local residents recounted the devastating impact of the strikes. Maleel, a Barmal resident, reported that 18 members of a single family were killed in one attack. Another strike claimed three lives and left several injured, who were later rushed to a hospital.
Escalating Border Tensions
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated since the Taliban seized power in 2021. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of harboring militants who launch cross-border attacks, a claim Kabul denies.
Recent attacks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an allied group of the Afghan Taliban, have heightened tensions. Last week, the TTP claimed responsibility for a deadly raid on a Pakistani army post near the Afghan border, killing 16 soldiers.
No Response from Pakistan
As of now, Pakistani authorities have not commented on the latest air strikes. The attack occurred during a visit by Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, who was in Kabul for high-level talks with Taliban officials.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by ANN Media, except for the headline.)
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