Pakistan Launches Airstrikes on Afghanistan, Killing at Least 9 Women and Children

Pakistan has carried out airstrikes on targets in Afghanistan, with Kabul saying at least nine women and children were killed and 11 others injured in attacks on Kunar and Helmand provinces.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said the strikes, conducted late on Wednesday, targeted camps and hideouts used by armed groups in the two locations. The ministry claimed that 22 fighters were killed.

Afghanistan’s Taliban government condemned the attacks, describing them as an act of aggression. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes destroyed three houses in Kunar and Helmand.

Pakistan said the operation was based on “credible intelligence” and targeted the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). It also claimed that weapons and ammunition stored at the sites were destroyed.

The strikes come amid renewed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following months of relative calm. Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of allowing armed groups, particularly the TTP, to operate from Afghan territory and launch attacks into Pakistan.

Afghanistan denies harbouring such groups and has accused Pakistan of conducting attacks against civilian areas.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said last week that it had documented more than 1,100 civilian casualties from cross-border violence in Afghanistan so far this year.

Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify the claims made by either side.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share