Afghanistan: 15 Killed After Pakistan Airstrikes Paktika Province, Taliban Vows Retaliation

Afghanistan: 15 Killed After Pakistan Airstrikes Paktika Province, Taliban Vows Retaliation

At least 15 people were killed including women and children, in Pakistan airstrikes on the Barmal district of Paktika province in Afghanistan.The toll is expected to rise further. The attacks, occurring on the night of December 24, targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five family members were killed, according to Khaama Press.

This comes amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially concerning the presence of Pakistani militants in Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has intensified its attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, with Pakistan accusing the Afghan Taliban of harboring these militants, according to Khaama Press.Afghanistan

Pakistani Jets Destroyed Many Villages

Reportedly, the Murgh Bazar village in Barmal was completely destroyed, adding to the existing humanitarian crisis. The airstrikes caused severe civilian casualties and widespread destruction, further escalating tensions in the region.

Taliban Vows To Retaliate

The Taliban’s Defence Ministry has vowed to retaliate after the airstrike on Barmal, Paktika. The ministry said it is their legitimate right to defend their land and sovereignty, and condemned the attack, claiming that those targeted included “Waziristani refugees”.The Waziristani refugees are civilians who had been displaced by military operations in Pakistan’s tribal areas.

Enayatullah Khwarazmi, a spokesperson for the Taliban Ministry of Defence, denied the Pakistani claims and posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “civilian people, mostly Waziristani refugees,” had been killed in the airstrike.

Khwarazmi added that “several children and other civilians were martyred and wounded” in the attack, though no official casualty figures were provided. Sources reported that at least 15 bodies, including women and children, have been recovered, and the death toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue.

Pakistan Has Not Responded Yet

While Pakistani authorities have not officially confirmed the airstrike, security sources close to the military suggested that the attack was carried out targeting Taliban hideouts near the border.AfghanistanBangladesh: USD 5 billion graft probe launched against Sheikh Hasina

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