Afghanistan Reports Nine Civilians Killed in Pakistani Airstrikes
Afghanistan Reports Nine Civilians Killed in Pakistani Airstrikes
————————————-
Afghan authorities say nine civilians were killed and 11 others injured in Pakistani airstrikes targeting Helmand province in southern Afghanistan and Kunar province in the east, marking a renewed escalation between the neighbouring countries.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes, carried out overnight from Wednesday into Thursday, also destroyed three houses.
Pakistan confirmed conducting the airstrikes, describing them as planned operations based on what its Information Ministry called credible intelligence. Islamabad said the strikes precisely targeted two sites inside Afghanistan associated with armed groups accused of planning attacks against Pakistan.
Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated amid Pakistani allegations that Afghanistan provides shelter to militants, particularly members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Afghan authorities deny allowing Afghan territory to be used to launch attacks against other countries.
The disputed Durand Line, which marks much of the border between the two countries, remains another longstanding source of tension.
Military confrontations intensified in October 2025, with cross-border strikes and clashes recurring in February 2026. After a period of relative calm, tensions rose again on September 24, when Pakistan carried out strikes it said targeted sites linked to drone attacks. Afghan authorities reported four civilian deaths in that incident, followed by further border clashes and the latest airstrikes in Helmand and Kunar.
