Pakistani Airstrikes on Afghanistan: 36 Civilians Killed, 163 Injured
By Shazia Kalantarzada- Afghan authorities have announced that Pakistan's military regime carried out airstrikes on the provinces of Paktika, Paktia, and Kunar last night, resulting in the deaths of 36 civilians, including women and children, and injuring 163 others.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, provided details of the casualties from the strikes:
· Mando Khail area, Chamkani District, Paktia Province Two strikes on this location killed 28 people and injured 158 others. According to local sources, the first strike targeted a house, and a second strike hit as residents gathered for rescue and relief efforts.
· Walast area, Gayan District, Paktika Province Six people, including women and children, were killed.
· Barolo area, Manora District, Kunar Province A civilian house was destroyed and financial losses incurred.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, confirmed the strikes and wrote on his X account: “We strongly condemn this cowardly act and aggression, and consider it a crime and a barbaric act.”
Hamid Karzai, former president of Afghanistan, called the strikes a violation of national sovereignty and international norms, expressing sympathy with the families of the victims.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s interests lie in abandoning its confrontational policies and engaging with Afghanistan based on the principles of good neighborliness and civilized relations.
Matin Naseri, a political analyst, said: “Pakistan is trying to contain the security threats posed by the TTP and simultaneously pressure the Afghan government.
The killing of civilians could increase political tensions and further complicate bilateral relations.”
Rohullah Hotak, another political analyst, stated that these strikes constitute a violation of Afghan airspace and the bombing of civilian homes, which will intensify anti-Pakistan sentiment among Afghans.
Sadeq Shinwari, a military analyst, speaking to weezha Roz, noted: “Civilian casualties indicate intelligence weaknesses, operational errors, or disregard for these principles, and will have wide-ranging security and political consequences.”
He emphasized that under international law, the principles of distinction between military targets and civilians, as well as proportionality, must be observed.
Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, claimed the strikes were conducted “based on credible intelligence” in response to the recent attack by the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group in Karachi, which killed three Pakistani soldiers.
According to him, 25 militants were killed in these operations.
Three weeks ago, Pakistani forces had also violated Afghanistan’s airspace with airstrikes on Kunar, Khost, and Paktika provinces, killing 11 and wounding 14.
The United Nations had previously reported that hundreds of civilians had been killed and wounded in border clashes in the first months of this year.
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