At least four people were killed and 15 others injured after Pakistan carried out overnight airstrikes in Afghanistan, including in the capital Kabul, Afghan authorities said on Friday.
According to officials, the strikes targeted multiple locations across the country, escalating tensions between the two neighboring nations once again.
Taliban Officials Report Damage in Several Provinces
A spokesperson for the Taliban government said the strikes also hit infrastructure near Kandahar airport, including a fuel depot belonging to private airline Kam Air.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated on social media that Pakistani aircraft also carried out strikes in several regions, including the southern province of Kandahar and eastern border provinces Paktia Province and Paktika Province.
These provinces share a border with Pakistan and have often been at the center of cross-border tensions.
Pakistan Claims Target Was Militant Group
While Pakistan’s military has not officially released a statement, a Pakistani security source confirmed the operation to international media.
According to the source, the strikes targeted militants belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group also known as the Pakistan Taliban.
The source said the operation was carried out against what it described as “accurate targets” linked to TTP fighters.
Longstanding Dispute Over Militants
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of allowing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants to operate from its territory and launch attacks inside Pakistan.
However, the Taliban administration in Kabul has denied the allegations, stating that Afghan soil is not being used to carry out attacks against other countries.
Civilian Casualties Disputed
Kabul police spokesperson Khalil Zadran said that residential areas in the capital were affected by the bombardment, resulting in casualties among civilians.
Pakistan, however, maintains that its operations do not target civilians and are aimed solely at militant groups. Independent verification of casualty figures remains difficult due to limited access to the affected areas.
