Pakistan Airstrikes Kill Civilians in Kabul, Tensions Rise

Pakistan has been accused by Afghanistan’s Taliban government of carrying out overnight airstrikes that hit civilian areas in Kabul and the southern province of Kandahar, killing at least four civilians and injuring several others. The incident marks a serious escalation in tensions between the two neighbouring countries, as clashes along the border have now entered their third week.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan’s military aircraft targeted residential areas as well as fuel depots belonging to the private airline Kam Air near Kandahar airport. According to Mujahid, the facility supplies fuel to civilian airlines and aircraft operated by the United Nations.

Pakistan’s military and government have not immediately commented on the allegations.

The latest strikes come amid growing military confrontation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both countries have been targeting each other’s military positions since late February. Afghan officials earlier claimed that Kabul launched strikes against Pakistani posts in response to Pakistani attacks along the border.

Pakistan’s military has said its operations are aimed at militant groups, especially the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, also known as the Pakistani Taliban. Islamabad says these groups operate from Afghan territory, an accusation that the Afghan Taliban government has repeatedly denied.

According to Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran, at least four civilians, including children, were killed in the strikes in Kabul, while around 15 people were injured. Mujahid also claimed that several civilian locations and empty areas in the provinces of Paktia and Paktika were hit during the attacks.

Afghanistan has warned that the strikes “will not go unanswered,” raising concerns that the conflict could escalate further.

The escalation comes shortly after China’s special envoy Yue Xiaoyong visited Islamabad and met Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq. The two officials discussed regional security threats posed by militant groups, including TTP and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and stressed the need for joint efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, attacks by the Pakistani Taliban inside Pakistan have increased. Islamabad says it will continue military operations until Afghanistan takes concrete steps to prevent militants from operating from its territory.

The current clashes have also ended a ceasefire that was brokered in October with mediation from Qatar and Turkey. Despite several rounds of talks aimed at reducing tensions, the situation between the two countries remains highly volatile.