Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of carrying out a lethal airstrike that killed nine children and a woman in the southern Khost province. The attack, which targeted a civilian home in the Mughalgai area, has sparked new tensions between the two neighboring countries. The Taliban administration condemned the strike, accusing Islamabad of disregarding the recent ceasefire agreement. A Taliban spokesman stated that the bombing occurred late at night, destroying the home of a local civilian and leaving several children, including five boys and four girls, among the dead. The strikes have raised fears about the stability of the fragile ceasefire that was recently established between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Additionally, a suicide attack targeting Pakistan’s Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar, a splinter group of the TTP claimed responsibility, indicating the continued instability in the region.
The neighboring states clashed in October, killing dozens, in the worst violence since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The escalation was attributed to border security and militant activity. Islamabad accused Kabul of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters, allegations that the Taliban administration has dismissed. The recent attacks in Khost and Peshawar underscore the ongoing security challenges faced by both countries, with Pakistan not officially commenting on Kabul’s allegations but instead focusing on its counter-terror operations. The Inter-Services Public Relations department of Pakistan stated that they killed 22 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan.
The incident has also drawn international attention, with reports citing the potential impact on regional stability. The situation remains complex, as both nations continue to navigate political, military and humanitarian challenges following the conflict.