Allegation of deadly attacks in eastern Afghanistan
The government of Taliban‑led Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of carrying out overnight strikes on civilian homes in the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika. According to the Taliban’s chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, the operation killed ten civilians, among them nine children (five boys and four girls) and one woman, and wounded at least four others. The strike that drew the most attention reportedly hit a house belonging to a local resident, Wilayat Khan, in the Gurbuz (also spelled “Gerbzwo”) district of Khost Province at around midnight.
Pakistan’s response and the diplomatic fallout
Pakistan’s military and foreign ministry have denied conducting any such strikes or air operations in Afghan territory overnight. They stated no airstrikes were carried out and stressed their declared policy of targeting militant hide‑outs rather than civilians. The incident comes amid already high tensions: a cease‑fire brokered earlier between Afghanistan and Pakistan was still in place, yet cross‑border violence and mutual accusations have continued. The Taliban statement described the attacks as “a direct assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty” and vowed that the country reserves its right to respond “at the appropriate time.”
Local impact and civilian toll
In Khost province, locals say the house in question was destroyed and the victims were civilians with little to no connection to militant activity. One tribal leader described the incident as “cruelty” against children and women. The alleged strikes add to a pattern of civilian casualties along the porous Afghan‑Pakistan border, where militants from both sides often operate, and where efforts to keep civilians safe have long struggled. The death of children in particular provokes strong outrage and risks igniting further instability in the region.
Why this matters: broader implications
- Escalation risk: The attack—if confirmed—could mark a serious escalation in cross‑border hostilities, undermining fragile cease‑fires and diplomatic efforts.
- Humanitarian concerns: The targeting (or alleged targeting) of children raises grave humanitarian and legal questions about distinction and proportionality in cross‑border military operations.
- Border‑security dynamic: Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of harbouring militants from the Tehrik‑e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) who attack Pakistani soil; Afghanistan counters that its territory is being violated. This incident deepens that narrative.
- Regional diplomacy: With both sides involved in mediation efforts (including by Qatar and Turkey) to normalise ties, such civilian‑death incidents threaten to derail talks and complicate border management.
Looking ahead
Key questions now include: Will Pakistan provide verifiable evidence of the strikes it conducts and clarify targeting procedures? Will Afghanistan seek international investigation or recourse? How will local Afghan and Pakistani communities cope with rising tensions?
The coming days may reveal whether the incident becomes another flashpoint in the long‑standing border dispute or whether diplomacy can prevent further civilian harm.
