Pakistani airstrikes kill 13, wound 14 in Afghanistan amid escalating cross-border tensions
At least 13 people, have been killed and 14 others wounded after Pakistani airstrikes struck eastern Afghanistan, according to Afghan authorities.
The Wednesday strikes targeted the provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said.
According to Afghan officials, the victims included 11 children, one woman and one elderly man.
There was no immediate confirmation of the strikes from Pakistan or comment from its military authorities.
The airstrikes came a day after suspected Pakistani Taliban militants attacked a security post in the Hasan Khel area of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border.
Pakistan's Ministry of Interior said the assault triggered a heavy exchange of fire in which six members of the Federal Constabulary were killed and several others were wounded.
Local authorities said security forces later killed eight of the attackers and prevented them from overrunning the checkpoint.
Pakistan’s Minister of Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi attended funeral prayers for the slain personnel in Peshawar and said Pakistan would intensify operations against groups threatening the country's security.
The latest incident adds to months of violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan that have left hundreds dead.
The current phase of fighting began in late February after Afghanistan launched a cross-border attack in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghan territory.
Pakistan announced in February that it was in open war with Afghanistan following a rise in militant attacks on civilians and security forces inside Pakistan.
Earlier this year, China hosted negotiations between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Urumqi, after which Beijing said both sides had agreed to avoid further escalation and explore ways to resolve their dispute.
Pakistan says militants responsible for deadly attacks inside the country, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operate from Afghan territory.
The TTP is separate from, but maintains ties with, the Afghan Taliban, which returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces.
Afghan authorities reject Pakistan's claims and have repeatedly denied providing sanctuary to militants.
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