Afghan Authorities Report Civilian Casualties Following Pakistani Cross-Border Strikes

Afghan Authorities Report Civilian Casualties Following Pakistani Cross-Border Strikes
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Afghan authorities said that Pakistani military operations in eastern Afghanistan resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries, marking a new escalation in tensions between the neighboring countries.

According to officials from Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government, the strikes targeted areas in the eastern provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar. Afghan authorities reported that at least 36 civilians were killed and 163 others injured, including women and children, while some officials later cited higher casualty estimates. Pakistan has disputed civilian casualty accounts and stated that the operation targeted militant infrastructure.

The Taliban administration condemned the operation as a violation of Afghan sovereignty and accused Pakistan of striking civilian locations. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid described the attacks as an act of aggression and rejected allegations that Afghan territory was being used to launch attacks against Pakistan.

Pakistan said its forces carried out an intelligence-based operation that included ground activity and airstrikes aimed at militant positions near the border. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the action followed a deadly attack on Rangers headquarters in Karachi and said the operation targeted members of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, which Pakistan links to the Pakistani Taliban.