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Pakistan Strikes Afghan Border, Dozens of Civilians Killed in Airstrikes

Pakistan conducted airstrikes on targets inside Afghanistan, which it says were intelligence-based operations against terrorist camps belonging to the Pakistani Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate. The Afghan government, however, states the strikes hit civilian areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, resulting in dozens of casualties, including women and children. Pakistan's action is presented as a retaliatory measure for recent deadly attacks on its soil, including a mosque bombing in Islamabad. The incident marks a severe escalation in tensions between the two nations, which have been strained over accusations that Afghan territory harbors militants targeting Pakistan.

Key Points: Pakistan Airstrikes Kill Dozens of Afghan Civilians at Border

  • Dozens of Afghan civilians killed
  • Strikes target Pakistani Taliban & ISKP
  • Retaliation for recent suicide attacks in Pakistan
  • Afghan govt condemns attack on residential areas
  • Tensions high since Taliban 2021 takeover
2 min read

Pakistani strikes Afghan border areas, dozens of civilians killed

Pakistan targets "terrorist camps" in Afghanistan, killing dozens of civilians. Kabul condemns the strikes as tensions escalate between the neighbors.

"Pakistan has carried out intelligence-based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts - Attaullah Tarar"

Islamabad/Kabul, Feb 22 Several Afghan civilians were killed and many others injured after Pakistan carried out airstrikes targeting civilian areas along the volatile border between the two countries.

Kabul alleged that residential locations were hit in the operation.

Islamabad maintained that the strikes were aimed at Afghan-based "terrorist groups" that it holds responsible for a string of recent suicide attacks inside Pakistan.

According to the Afghan government, "dozens of people" were killed or wounded in the bombardment.

"Last night, they bombed our civilian compatriots in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, martyring and wounding dozens of people, including women and children," Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a post on X.

Confirming the operation, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X, "Pakistan has carried out intelligence-based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Pakistani Taliban and its affiliates in the border region."

Tarar further stated that the action also targeted an alleged affiliate of the Islamic State group, which had claimed responsibility for the recent mosque attack in Islamabad that left 31 people dead and more than 160 injured.

The incident was among the deadliest assaults in the Pakistani capital since the 2008 Marriott hotel bombing.

In a separate statement, the Pakistani Army said that despite repeated efforts to urge the Afghan Taliban regime to take verifiable steps to prevent Afghan territory from being used by terrorist groups and foreign proxies to launch attacks inside Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban regime "failed to undertake any substantive action against them".

"Pakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region, but at the same time, the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority. In this backdrop, Pakistan, in a retributive response, has carried out intelligence-based selective targeting of seven Terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to the Pakistani Taliban of FAK and its affiliates and ISKP at the border region of Pakistan-Afghan border with precision and accuracy," the statement added.

Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021.

Bilateral ties have deteriorated sharply in recent months amid deadly border clashes and repeated accusations from Islamabad that Afghan soil is being used to shelter militants targeting Pakistan.

The Taliban government in Kabul, however, has consistently rejected these allegations, denying that it allows its territory to be used for cross-border attacks.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
It's a complex issue. The Afghan Taliban government must take responsibility. If their territory is being used to launch attacks on a neighbor, they cannot just wash their hands of it. Pakistan suffered a major attack in Islamabad. But the response seems disproportionate if civilians were indeed hit. A very volatile region. 😔
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Aman W
From an Indian perspective, we know the pain of cross-border terrorism all too well. Pakistan's actions, while claiming counter-terrorism, often lack precision and accountability. The statements from both sides are familiar—accusations and denials. The real victims are always ordinary people trying to live their lives.
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Sarah B
The article mentions the Taliban government denying the use of its soil for attacks. Given their history and ideology, how credible is that denial? Pakistan is dealing with the blowback of its own past policies in Afghanistan. It's a sad cycle of violence where civilians pay the price.
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Vikram M
This instability on our western flank is concerning for India's security as well. A peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in everyone's interest. Hope cooler heads prevail and there is no further escalation. The international community should mediate.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I have to criticize the framing here a bit. The headline says "Pakistani strikes Afghan border areas, dozens of civilians killed." It immediately paints Pakistan as the aggressor against civilians. The article does give Pakistan's justification later, but the first impression is set. Journalism should be more balanced from the start.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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