Pakistan Launches Air Strikes Along Afghan Border
Pakistan has conducted deadly air strikes along its border with Afghanistan, ending months of relative calm in the volatile region.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reported that 26 militants were killed in "calibrated strikes" targeting four locations. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Taliban government stated that 13 individuals, mostly children, died in Pakistani strikes across three provinces.
Accusations and Historical Context
Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of providing sanctuary to terrorists who launch attacks on Pakistani soil, a claim the Taliban government denies.
In February, clashes between the two nations resulted in dozens of fatalities. The situation escalated in March when a Pakistani strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul caused hundreds of deaths.
Both countries had agreed to a ceasefire last October after weeks of deadly confrontations.
Details of the Recent Strikes
Tarar stated that Wednesday's strikes were a response to "recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan" and targeted "hideouts and safe havens" near the border, including a training center and an ammunition cache.
The bombardment occurred a day after an attack on security forces near Peshawar, where the Pakistani government reported at least six officers killed.
"Pakistan has always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority,"
Tarar added.
Casualties Reported by Taliban Government
Earlier, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reported that 11 children, one woman, and one elderly man were killed in Pakistani strikes in the provinces of Kunar, Khost, and Paktika.
He also noted that 14 women and children sustained injuries due to the Pakistani bombing.
Afghanistan has consistently maintained that its territory is not used to threaten other nations.
Previous Clashes and Strikes
The clashes in late February involved an offensive by Afghanistan's Taliban government targeting Pakistani military bases near the border.
Pakistan responded with air strikes on targets in Kabul and the provinces of Kandahar and Paktika, which are adjacent to its 2,600 km (1,615-mile) border.
On 16 March, a Pakistani air strike hit the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Kabul, killing at least 269 people, according to a United Nations report.
This attack was the deadliest single incident in Afghanistan's recent history, surpassing casualties from 20 years of conflict involving the Taliban, NATO, and Afghan republic forces.
