Pakistani Airstrikes Kill 13 in Afghanistan, Including 11 Children

At least 13 people, including 11 children, were killed in Pakistani military airstrikes across three Afghan provinces, Afghan officials said on Wednesday (June 10).

According to Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, the strikes targeted the provinces of Kunar, Khost, and Paktika. He said at least 14 other people were injured, all of them women and children.

Mujahid accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s airspace and bombing civilian homes.

“There were airstrikes on residential areas, resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children,” he said.

Pakistan’s military and government did not immediately comment on the allegations. However, Pakistani security officials told Reuters that the strikes targeted militant hideouts and other facilities linked to groups allegedly involved in attacks against Pakistan.

Islamabad has long accused Afghanistan of providing safe haven to anti-Pakistan militants who plan and launch attacks from Afghan territory. The Afghan government has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying that Pakistan’s security challenges are an internal matter.

The latest violence threatens to further escalate tensions between the neighboring countries. Once close allies, Pakistan and Afghanistan were involved in one of their deadliest border confrontations in recent years in February.

In March, both sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire, while China has been attempting to mediate efforts aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further conflict.