Kabul Accuses Pakistan of Airstrikes Killing 46 Civilians, Including Women and Children

Kabul, Afghanistan – Airstrikes by Pakistani military aircraft in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of 46 people, predominantly women and children, according to Afghan officials. The Taliban government has vowed retaliation for what it terms an act of aggression.

• Details of the Incident:
  Afghan deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat reported that six others were injured in the strikes, which targeted four locations in Paktika. The victims were identified as "mostly Waziristani refugees," believed to have fled Pakistan’s Waziristan region.

• Afghanistan’s Response:
  Afghanistan’s Ministry of National Defence condemned the strikes as a "blatant violation of international principles." Spokesman Enayatullah Khowrazmi stated, “The Islamic Emirate will not leave this cowardly act unanswered.” The Afghan foreign office summoned Pakistan’s envoy to deliver a formal protest note, warning of potential consequences.

• Pakistan’s Statement:
  While no official response was provided by Pakistan’s government or military, an unnamed Pakistani official told Reuters the strikes targeted a camp of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) militant group.

• Background on TTP:
  The TTP, which pledges allegiance to the Afghan Taliban but operates independently, has been blamed for numerous attacks in Pakistan. A recent TTP assault in South Waziristan killed 16 Pakistani security personnel, prompting Pakistan’s alleged action.

• Strained Relations:
  Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have long been tense. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring TTP militants who orchestrate attacks across the border. The Afghan Taliban, however, denies these claims.

This latest incident follows accusations in March, when Pakistan allegedly conducted airstrikes on Afghan territory, killing women and children. Pakistan described those actions as "intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations" but provided no further details.

The escalation has heightened tensions between the neighboring countries, raising concerns about regional stability.