Thursday, February 20, 2025
spot_img
HomeWorldPakistani Airstrikes In Afghanistan’s Paktika Province Kill 15, Including Women And Children

Pakistani Airstrikes In Afghanistan’s Paktika Province Kill 15, Including Women And Children

Kabul [Afghanistan]: At least 15 people, including women and children, lost their lives in a series of Pakistani airstrikes on the Barmal district of Paktika province in Afghanistan. The attacks, which occurred on the night of December 24, targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five members of a single family were killed, according to reports from Khaama Press. The death toll is expected to rise as recovery operations continue.

Local sources identified Pakistani jets as responsible for the bombings. Murg Bazaar village in Barmal was reportedly destroyed, compounding the region’s humanitarian crisis. The airstrikes have caused significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction, further straining relations between the two neighboring nations.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Defence strongly condemned the attack, describing it as an infringement on Afghanistan’s sovereignty. The Ministry declared its intention to retaliate, emphasizing that “defending our land and sovereignty is our legitimate right.” The statement also claimed that “Waziristani refugees” were among the victims.

While Pakistani authorities have not officially acknowledged the airstrikes, sources within the military suggested the operation targeted Taliban hideouts near the border. These actions occur amidst growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the presence of militants in the border regions.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has escalated attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, with Islamabad accusing the Afghan Taliban of providing sanctuary to TTP fighters. The Afghan Taliban, however, denies these allegations.

Enayatullah Khwarazmi, spokesperson for the Taliban Ministry of Defence, refuted Pakistan’s claims and alleged that the airstrikes primarily targeted civilians, many of whom were Waziristani refugees displaced by earlier military operations in Pakistan. He stated that “several children and other civilians were martyred and wounded” in the attack, though exact casualty figures remain unconfirmed.

Reports indicate at least 15 bodies, including women and children, have been recovered, with search and rescue operations ongoing. The situation highlights the plight of Waziristani refugees, civilians displaced from Pakistan’s tribal areas, who now face further peril in Afghanistan.

This latest incident underscores the fragile relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, exacerbated by accusations of harboring TTP militants. Both sides continue to exchange blame, deepening the regional crisis.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments