Pakistan Claims Killing Militants as Taliban Says Civilians Died in Airstrikes
Pakistan says its military carried out airstrikes across the border in Afghanistan, claiming to have killed 26 fighters linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and destroyed several militant positions, including a training center and ammunition storage sites. The strikes were described as “precision operations” based on intelligence and conducted in response to recent militant attacks inside Pakistan.
However, the Taliban-led Afghan government disputed the claim, saying the strikes hit civilian areas in the provinces of Kunar, Khost, and Paktika. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said 13 civilians were killed, including 11 children, along with a woman and an elderly man, and that many others were injured.
Local Afghan officials and residents reported that homes were struck in border districts, killing families and causing widespread damage. Funeral prayers were held for victims in affected villages.
The airstrikes followed a recent surge in cross-border violence, including attacks on Pakistani security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which Islamabad says were carried out by militants operating from Afghan territory.
The incident has further strained already fragile relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan amid ongoing accusations over cross-border militancy.
