At least 13 civilians, including 11 children, were killed in Pakistani military airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, according to the Taliban administration, which accused Pakistan of carrying out attacks on residential areas in Kunar, Khost and Paktika provinces, reported IANS.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Wednesday that the strikes took place on Tuesday night and also left 14 women and children injured. The Taliban condemned the attacks, describing them as a violation of Afghanistan`s sovereignty and a humanitarian crime, reported IANS.
Taliban accuses Pakistan of targeting civilian areas
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Mujahid said Pakistani military aircraft had entered Afghan airspace and bombed civilian homes in multiple provinces, reported IANS.
According to the Taliban, the victims included 11 children, one woman and one elderly man. The injured were reported to be women and children living in the affected areas.
The Taliban administration strongly criticised the operation and accused Pakistan of repeatedly violating Afghan airspace despite growing international concern over civilian casualties resulting from cross-border military actions.
Border tensions continue to escalate
The latest strikes come amid worsening relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both countries accusing each other of failing to prevent militant activities along their shared border.
Over the past several months, tensions have escalated through repeated exchanges of fire, military operations and accusations of cross-border incursions. Despite diplomatic contacts and mediation efforts by local tribal leaders, there has been little progress in reducing hostilities.
Security concerns along the porous border have remained a major source of friction between the two neighbouring countries, with each side blaming the other for instability and armed attacks.
Recent attacks have raised concerns over civilian casualties
The latest incident follows reports of another Pakistani military operation in Afghanistan`s Kunar province last month. According to Taliban officials, strikes in the Dangam district killed three people and injured 14 others.
Local authorities alleged that civilian infrastructure, including schools, mosques and a healthcare facility, was damaged during the operation. A district official claimed that two schools, two mosques and a clinic were destroyed, while dozens of livestock were also killed, reported IANS.
Taliban officials further alleged that multiple educational institutions have been damaged during military operations in Kunar province over recent months, although these claims have not been independently verified, reported IANS.
UN report highlights impact of cross-border violence
The latest escalation comes against the backdrop of growing concerns raised by the United Nations regarding civilian casualties linked to cross-border hostilities.
According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), at least 372 civilians were killed and 397 injured between January and March 2026 due to violence involving Afghan and Pakistani security forces.
The UN mission documented more than 750 civilian casualties during the three-month period, attributing many of them to airstrikes and military operations carried out along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Calls for restraint amid worsening security situation
UNAMA noted that some of the deadliest incidents occurred following Pakistan`s launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on February 26. The report highlighted a major airstrike on March 16 that reportedly hit the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Kabul, resulting in significant casualties.
According to the UN findings, the victims of cross-border violence included men, women and children, underlining the growing humanitarian cost of the conflict, reported IANS.
The latest strikes are likely to further strain relations between Kabul and Islamabad at a time when regional and international observers have been urging both sides to avoid escalation and prioritise diplomatic engagement. With civilian casualties continuing to mount, concerns are growing that the border conflict could deepen instability across the region.
(With inputs from IANS)
Taliban says Pakistani airstrikes kill 13 civilians in eastern Afghanistan
