Afghanistan, Pakistan say civilians, ‘terrorists’ killed in latest cross-border airstrikes
Islamabad claims killing 22 'terrorists' in fresh airstrikes in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) – Pakistan and Afghanistan on Thursday exchanged contrasting claims over casualties from the latest cross-border airstrikes amid escalating tensions between the two neighbors.
Islamabad claimed to have killed 22 “terrorists” in airstrikes in Afghanistan.
“Based on credible intelligence, selective targeting of terrorist camps and hideouts at two locations belonging to Fitna al khwarij, Fitna al Hindustan and their affiliates has been carried out in Afghanistan with precision and accuracy,” the Information Ministry said in a statement, using the terms to refer to militants allegedly backed by India and Afghanistan.
The two countries reject the allegations.
Large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at these hideouts were also destroyed in the fresh airstrikes, the third in two weeks, the statement added.
“Our action precisely targeted the terrorist hubs. Maximum precautions were taken and it was ensured that no collateral damage occurs,” it further said.
Afghanistan rejected Pakistan’s claim about targeting of terrorist camps, alleging that the aerial strikes killed nine civilians, including women and children.
Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, in a post on the US social media company X, said that 11 people were also injured in the airstrikes.
“Last night, Pakistani aircraft bombed civilian homes in Chugam, Shultan district of Kunar, and Safar, Garmser district of Helmand. Nine Afghan civilians, including women and children, were killed, 11 were injured, and three homes were destroyed,” he said.
The latest border tensions stemmed from a series of militant attacks in Pakistan last month, which killed dozens of security personnel and civilians.
Pakistan blamed “Afghanistan-based” militant groups and carried out airstrikes on alleged militant camps, killing scores of “terrorists” in the last two weeks.
Kabul, for its part, rejects Islamabad’s assertion about terrorists’ casualties, saying many civilians were killed and injured in aerial strikes.
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