At least 46 people, mostly women and children, were reported killed in a Pakistani bombardment of Afghanistan’s Paktika province, according to the Afghan Taliban government. The strikes, described by Pakistani officials as targeting “terrorist hideouts” across the border, were condemned by the Taliban as “barbaric” and “clear aggression.” A vow of retaliation was issued by Taliban authorities, who asserted their right to defend Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
The airstrikes, which reportedly hit four areas in Paktika’s Barmal district, were said to have left six others wounded, primarily children. Afghan officials stated that the victims included refugees and local residents, with entire families wiped out. A resident of Barmal claimed that 18 members of a single family lost their lives when their home was struck, while three others were killed in a separate house.
A statement from the Afghan defense ministry strongly condemned the strikes, describing them as cowardly and aggressive. Meanwhile, a senior Pakistani security official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that a mix of jets and drones had been used to target militant hideouts inside Afghanistan.
The incident marks the latest escalation of hostilities between the two nations, following deadly airstrikes in March that reportedly killed eight civilians in Afghanistan. Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have further deteriorated since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks.
While Kabul has denied these allegations, a UN Security Council report from July estimated that up to 6,500 members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are operating in Afghanistan. The report also noted that the Taliban do not view the TTP as a terrorist group.
The strikes coincided with a visit by Pakistan’s special envoy to Kabul for high-level talks with Taliban officials. No official statement has been issued by Pakistani authorities regarding the latest airstrikes.
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