In a recent escalation of violence, Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan have claimed the lives of at least 15 people, including women and children, with fears that the death toll could rise.
The attacks, which took place late on Tuesday, targeted various regions in the Barmal district of Paktika province, destroying a Taliban training facility, according to local media reports.
The strikes affected seven villages in the area, including Laman, where five members of a single family lost their lives. The village of Murg Bazaar was also hit hard, with reports stating that it was entirely destroyed.
These airstrikes have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, causing significant damage and increasing the number of civilian casualties. The continued violence is further straining the already fragile relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The caretaker government of Afghanistan has strongly condemned the attacks and vowed retaliation. In a statement, the Ministry of Defence of Afghanistan called the airstrikes a "barbaric act" and accused Pakistan of violating international norms.
The Ministry also stressed that most of the victims were civilians, including Waziristani refugees, with many of them being either killed or injured, including children.
The Ministry of Defence further condemned the attack, stating, "This clear aggression is contrary to all international principles. The Pakistani side should understand that such actions will not solve any problems."
The Afghan government declared that it would defend its territory and consider such actions as a direct attack on its sovereignty. The Taliban's Ministry of Defence also vowed to retaliate against the strike, calling it an act of aggression.
Although Pakistan has not officially claimed responsibility for the airstrikes, the attacks have intensified tensions between the two neighbouring nations. The airstrikes come amid growing hostilities between Islamabad and Kabul over the issue of Pakistani militants operating from Afghan soil.
In recent months, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has intensified its insurgency against Pakistani forces, prompting Islamabad to accuse the Afghan Taliban of providing shelter to the group.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to take action against the TTP, but Kabul has denied harbouring the militants.
The ongoing conflict between the two sides has led to further distrust, and the latest airstrikes only add more complexity to an already fragile relationship between the two countries.
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