Pakistani Airstrikes in Afghanistan; Taliban Claims 9 Civilian Deaths

Kabul. Pakistan says it carried out airstrikes on militant hideouts in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Helmand provinces, while the Afghan Taliban government claimed that at least nine civilians, including women and children, were killed and 11 others wounded.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said the strikes were conducted at two locations on the basis of credible intelligence. The ministry said initial reports indicated that 22 militants had been killed and weapons and ammunition stored at the sites had been destroyed.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid rejected Pakistan’s account, saying the strikes hit three residential houses in Kunar and Helmand. He said nine people, including women and children, were killed and 11 others injured.
In a post on X, Mujahid condemned the operation as an act of aggression and a violation of internationally recognized principles. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan later said at least 10 civilians had been killed and nine injured, with most of the victims reportedly children.�
Pakistan said the operation was carefully planned and calibrated, adding that maximum precautions had been taken to avoid civilian casualties.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban government of allowing armed groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, to operate from Afghan territory and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul has consistently rejected the allegations, attributing militancy in Pakistan to internal security and political failures.