UN Confirms 13 Civilians Killed in Eastern Afghanistan Bombings; Taliban Blame Pakistan

The UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed that 13 civilians, including children and women, died and 10 were injured in airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan on the night of June 9-10. The UN documented the casualties resulting from aerial attacks in the Khost, Kunar, and Paktika provinces, which border Pakistan.

The Taliban regime vehemently accused Pakistan of conducting the bombings. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reported the deaths of eleven children, a woman, and an elderly man, denouncing the act as a "humanitarian crime" and a violation of Afghan sovereignty. Kabul has labeled the incident as such.

Pakistan, however, confirmed its involvement, describing the actions as "precise and calibrated attacks" on the border. Islamabad stated the operation destroyed four bases and killed 26 militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group. Pakistan claims these strikes were retaliation for three recent attacks on its territory.

Islamabad accuses the Taliban regime of harboring TTP insurgents who carry out attacks in Pakistan, allegations Kabul firmly rejects. The UN has called for a lasting ceasefire and the protection of the civilian population, without formally assigning blame for the attacks. This ongoing conflict has already resulted in over 300 civilian deaths so far this year, according to UNAMA.