Pakistan forces kill 29 militants in border operation, Kabul says dozens of civilians dead

Pakistan's security forces reported killing at least 29 militants in ground and air operations along the Afghanistan border, asserting the actions were a response to recent terrorist incidents. However, the Afghan Taliban government countered that the Pakistani airstrikes resulted in the deaths of at least 38 civilians and injured 163 others.

The Pakistani operation, which included airstrikes on three targets in the Afghan provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar, destroyed significant quantities of weapons and ammunition, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. Four additional fighters linked to the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction of Pakistan's Taliban were killed in ground attacks in the Bajaur district. Pakistan stated it was responding to a recent bomb and gun attack in Karachi that killed three troops.

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Security forces precisely struck terrorist camps and safe havens.

Afghanistan's government spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, detailed the civilian casualties, stating that the majority stemmed from Pakistani jets bombing a home in Paktia province, killing 28 and injuring 158. He added that a second strike hit the same location while residents were engaged in rescue efforts, further exacerbating the casualties.

This incident threatens to worsen the intermittent conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, former allies who experienced their most severe confrontation in years in February. Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring militants responsible for attacks within Pakistan, a charge the Afghan Taliban denies, asserting that militancy is an internal Pakistani issue.

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While they were carrying out rescue efforts, Pakistani military forces launched a second airstrike on the same location.