Post by : Shakul

Fresh tensions have erupted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border after the Taliban administration accused Pakistan of carrying out overnight airstrikes that allegedly killed at least 13 civilians, including 11 children. Afghan officials said the attacks targeted residential areas in the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika while families were asleep.

According to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, the strikes hit civilian homes and left several women and children among the victims. He claimed that the bombardment occurred without warning, giving residents little opportunity to escape. Images shared by Afghan authorities showed extensive damage to homes and surrounding infrastructure.

Officials in Khost province reported that one of the deadliest attacks took place in the Spera district, where a residential building was struck. Local authorities stated that multiple members of the same family were among those killed and injured. Emergency teams were deployed to assist survivors and assess the extent of the destruction.

In neighboring Paktika province, residents reported another strike in the Barmal district. Witnesses claimed that children were among those killed when a house was hit during the operation. Several injured civilians were shifted to nearby medical facilities for treatment as authorities continued rescue efforts.

Pakistan has not officially confirmed the reported strikes. However, Islamabad has repeatedly maintained that any cross-border military actions are aimed at militant groups that allegedly use Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan. The Pakistani government has long accused the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of operating from safe havens across the border.

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have remained strained since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Pakistan alleges that Afghan territory is being used by armed groups targeting its security forces, while the Taliban administration rejects those claims and accuses Islamabad of violating Afghan sovereignty through military operations.

The latest incident comes after weeks of relative calm following deadly clashes earlier this year. International observers have expressed concern over the rising civilian toll in the region. According to recent United Nations data, hundreds of Afghan civilians have been killed or injured in conflict-related violence during the first months of 2026, highlighting the fragile security situation along the border.

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