Airstrikes by Pakistan Claim 36 Civilian Lives in Afghanistan Amid Rising Tensions

In a tragic escalation of violence, Pakistani airstrikes have reportedly killed 36 civilians and injured 163 others in eastern Afghanistan, according to the Taliban-led Afghan government. The attacks, which took place overnight, targeted the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar, prompting swift condemnation from Afghan officials.

Deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat took to social media to relay the devastating toll of the strikes. He emphasized that civilian homes were struck during the military operation. This incident adds to the already strained relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which has been fraught with conflict since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021.

From Islamabad’s perspective, the military claims the operations were aimed solely at militant targets. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the airstrikes were precision strikes against the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militant group, which is blamed for a recent attack on a Rangers facility in Karachi that resulted in the deaths of three soldiers. Tarar asserted that 25 militants were neutralized in the airstrikes, alongside four additional militants who were targeted in separate ground operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

However, the claims made by the Pakistani government have been firmly contested by Afghan authorities. The Taliban has consistently denied allegations of harboring militant groups that launch attacks into Pakistan, arguing that such claims are unfounded. The ongoing tension has been exacerbated by several rounds of negotiations mediated by Qatar, which have failed to establish a lasting ceasefire.

The airstrikes highlight the complex dynamics of the region, where long-standing grievances between Pakistan and Afghanistan have resurfaced amidst security concerns. The civilian toll raises urgent questions about the humanitarian implications of military engagements in populated areas. As both countries grapple with their contentious history and security challenges, the need for diplomatic dialogue becomes ever more critical to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

Source: scroll.in