The Taliban government has accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes overnight in Khost, Kunar, and Paktika provinces, killing 10 civilians, including nine children and one woman.
Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on X that Pakistan bombed a civilian house in the Gurbuz district of Khost, destroying it completely and killing nine children (five boys and four girls) and a woman.
Mujahid also claimed further airstrikes struck in the Kunar and Paktika provinces, wounding at least four civilians.
He called the attacks “atrocities” and a “blatant violation” of Afghan territory. Mujahid warned that Afghanistan “will respond appropriately at the right time and defending our airspace, territory, and citizens is our legitimate right.”
There has been no immediate response from Pakistani authorities.
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Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been fraught since the Taliban swept back to power in 2021, and worsened after deadly border clashes in October that killed around 70 people on both sides.
The fighting ended with a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey, but talks in Istanbul failed to produce a lasting deal, with security issues, especially Pakistan’s demand that Kabul curb TTP fighters proving a sticking point.
Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering the militants behind a surge in attacks, including the TTP, which has waged a bloody campaign against Pakistan for years.
Kabul denies the charge and counters that Pakistan harbours groups hostile to Afghanistan and does not respect its sovereignty.
