Taliban Says Pakistani Airstrikes Killed 13 Civilians in Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Taliban government has said at least 13 civilians were killed in the latest Pakistani airstrikes, accusing Pakistan of violating Afghan airspace. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan bombed settlements in Kunar, Khost and Paktika provinces between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. According to the Taliban, 11 children, one woman and one elderly man were killed in the attacks, while 14 women were injured. The Taliban also released photos after the incident and described the strikes as a direct violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and an attack on civilians.

Afghan officials say hundreds of people have been killed in Pakistani military operations on Afghan territory over the past year. Border tensions have continued to rise, making relations between the two countries increasingly strained. The Taliban has accused Pakistan of repeatedly using internal security concerns as a reason for military intervention inside Afghanistan. Pakistan, however, has claimed that groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army receive support from Afghan territory. The Taliban has rejected those claims, saying Pakistan uses unproven allegations to hide its own security weaknesses. Analysts say the close relationship initially expected after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 has not lasted. Pakistan, once seen as one of the Taliban’s major supporters, is now facing growing distrust with Afghanistan, and recent incidents show that ties between the two neighbors are becoming more complex and tense.