Airstrikes attributed to Pakistan have killed at least nine children and one woman in Afghanistan’s southern province of Khost, according to a Taliban administration spokesman. The attack occurred late on Tuesday in the Gorbuz district, targeting the home of a local resident. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the house, belonging to Waliat Khan, was destroyed, killing five boys, four girls and a woman.
In addition to the fatalities in Khost, strikes in Kunar and Patrika injured four civilians. The incident poses a significant challenge to the cease‑fire agreement between Kabul and Islamabad that was reached last month. The conflict between the neighboring states escalated in October, resulting in dozens of deaths and marking the worst violence since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The clashes have been linked to border‑security issues and militant activity, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring fighters from the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—allegations the Taliban administration denies.
The overnight strikes came a day after a suicide attack targeted the headquarters of Pakistan’s Federal Constabulary in Peshawar, an attack for which a splinter group of the TTP claimed responsibility. While Pakistan has not officially commented on Kabul’s allegations, its military reported killing 22 terrorists in an intelligence‑based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province bordering Afghanistan.
The recent violence highlights the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both countries facing security challenges and accusations of sheltering militant groups. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation, and the international community is likely to watch developments closely. The cease‑fire agreement is under strain, and it remains to be seen how the two nations will move forward to address their differences and reduce tensions.
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