A late-night Pakistani airstrike on a home in the southern Afghan province of Khost has killed at least nine children and a woman, according to a Taliban administration spokesman. The strikes occurred in the Mughalgai area of the Gorbuz district and have raised concerns over the impact on the fragile ceasefire between Kabul and Islamabad.
The Taliban’s representative, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated on X that the Pakistani forces targeted the house of a local civilian resident, Wali’at Khan, son of Qazi Mir, resulting in the tragic loss of lives. The incident adds to the rising tensions between the two nations, particularly after a previous clash in October that resulted in dozens of casualties. Both countries have mutual accusations, with Islamabad blaming Kabul for sheltering TTP fighters and the Taliban denying these claims. The recent airstrikes have further complicated the fragile ceasefire agreement established last month, highlighting the ongoing challenges in maintaining peace on the border.
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 situation has drawn international attention, with reports indicating a deterioration in relations between the two neighboring countries. The Pakistan government has not officially commented on Kabul’s allegations, but its Inter-Services Public Relations department said in a statement that it killed 22 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan.