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