Four civilians killed in Pakistani strikes in Afghanistan, Taliban says

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1. 2h ago

   Afghanistan Vows Response After Pakistani Strikes Kill Four Civilians

   Pakistan conducted airstrikes targeting 10 locations across Afghan provinces including Kandahar, Paktia, and Khost, resulting in the deaths of four civilians according to Taliban officials. Islamabad stated the operations were limited to identified military objectives in response to earlier cross-border drone attacks. The escalation follows mutual accusations regarding cross-border violence, terrorism, and border clashes, which have severely strained relations between the neighboring nations and transformed former partners into active foes.

   Why it matters

   Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated as Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering militant groups like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists. In turn, Kabul has faced pressure over border security and militant incursions. The latest airstrikes and subsequent border skirmishes mark a dangerous escalation in bilateral hostilities along the volatile frontier.

   What is confirmed

   • Pakistani airstrikes killed four civilians in Afghanistan, according to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.
   • Pakistan stated that it struck 10 targets in Afghanistan that were strictly limited to identified military objectives.
   • The airstrikes targeted parts of Afghanistan's Kandahar, Paktia, and Khost provinces.
   • Pakistan's military reported that security operations in Balochistan province killed 71 militants over a four-day period.
   • Afghanistan has vowed to respond to the Pakistani airstrikes.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Pakistan security forces killed 13 Afghan Taliban personnel in an overnight border clash, though Kabul denied the claim.
   • The Afghan information ministry claimed responsibility for destroying a Pakistani post near the Balochistan border, which Islamabad dismissed as fake.

   What to watch next

   • Any formal military or retaliatory response by the Afghan Taliban against Pakistan.
   • Official casualty tallies or independent verification from international monitors on the border clashes.
   • Diplomatic interventions or statements from regional intermediaries to de-escalate the border crisis.
   Sources used for this update (30)

   1. Al Jazeera — Afghanistan vows to respond after Pakistani air strikes kill four
   2. AP News — Pakistani airstrikes target Afghanistan after Islamabad accuses Kabul of drone attacks
   3. Reuters — Pakistan air strikes kill 4 civilians in Afghanistan, Kabul says
   4. Dawn — Dangerous border
   5. BBC — Four civilians killed in Pakistani strikes in Afghanistan, Taliban says
   6. Dawn — Security forces kill several Afghan Taliban fighters in retaliatory action along Balochistan border: sources
   7. Al Jazeera — Pakistani forces kill Afghan Taliban fighters in border escalation
   8. reuters.com — Explainer: What has turned the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan from partners to foes?
   9. Dawn — Info ministry dismisses Afghan claims of destroying Pakistani post near border in Balochistan as 'fake'
   10. AP News — 13 Afghan Taliban personnel killed in overnight border clash, Pakistan says. Kabul denies the claim
   11. The News Pakistan — A dangerous escalation
   12. Reuters — Pakistan thwarts border attack, several Taliban dead, security sources say
   confidence 95%