Taliban officials allege that Pakistani military strikes killed 46 people in the Barmal district of Paktika province, primarily women and children. While Pakistan has not confirmed the allegations, unnamed officials indicated that the strikes were aimed at TTP positions. The Afghan Ministry of National Defense condemned the bombardment as a violation of international law.
Taliban officials reported that an aerial bombardment, allegedly conducted by Pakistani military forces, resulted in at least 46 fatalities in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid indicated that the strikes targeted four sites within Barmal, a secluded mountainous area. Mujahid claimed that the majority of the deceased were women and children, with dozens more injured. While Pakistani officials have not officially commented on the attack, unnamed sources have indicated that counterinsurgency airstrikes were aimed at Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) positions in the region.
The accusations of Pakistani military strikes in Afghanistan underscore the ongoing tensions between the two nations, primarily revolving around cross-border insurgency issues. The Taliban government asserts that Afghan territory is not used to launch attacks against Pakistan, framing the violence as an internal issue for Pakistan to address. This incident has drawn further attention due to its timing, coinciding with a visit from Pakistani officials aimed at resuming diplomatic dialogues following a year-long hiatus prompted by allegations of terrorism.
In summary, the Taliban’s allegations of Pakistani airstrikes leading to civilian casualties highlight the strained relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The claims of targeted strikes against the TTP illustrate the complexities of counterinsurgency operations, while both sides maintain divergent narratives regarding accountability for the violence occurring along their shared border. The situation remains fragile as both nations navigate their security concerns amidst historical tensions.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
