Pakistan launches deadly air strikes in Afghanistan, reigniting tensions

Pakistan conducted air strikes along its border with Afghanistan on Wednesday, ending a period of relative calm. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that 26 militants were killed in "calibrated strikes" targeting "hideouts and safe havens" in response to recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan. Afghanistan's Taliban government reported that 13 people, including 11 children, died in Pakistani strikes across three provinces: Kunar, Khost, and Paktika. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring terrorists, a claim the Taliban government denies. This escalation is the first since February, following a ceasefire agreed upon last October after deadly border clashes.

Afghanistan reported that Pakistan conducted airstrikes in the Afghan provinces of Khost, Kunar, and Paktika, resulting in at least 13 deaths, including 11 children, and 14 injuries. Pakistan has not yet acknowledged the strikes. These attacks follow a day after suspected Pakistani Taliban militants attacked a security post in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing six members of the Federal Constabulary. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring militants, particularly the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), who carry out attacks within Pakistan. Afghanistan denies this accusation. The two nations have been engaged in conflict since February, with both sides launching cross-border attacks. China had previously hosted peace talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict.

Afghanistan's Taliban government has accused Pakistan's military of conducting air raids on Tuesday in the border provinces of Kunar, Khost, and Paktika, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 people. According to the Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, the victims included 11 children, one woman, and an elderly man, with 14 other women and children wounded. These strikes are described as the deadliest in weeks and follow a period of relative border calm. Pakistan has not yet commented on the accusations. Previously, Islamabad has stated it targets fighters from the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) within Afghanistan. The air attacks occurred a day after suspected TTP fighters attacked a security post in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.