The aftermath of Pakistan's air strikes in Afghanistan

"Pakistan says it has launched strikes on armed groups in Afghanistan after blaming recent suicide bombings, including attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on fighters it says are operating from its neighbour's territory. Kabul has repeatedly denied allowing armed groups to use Afghan territory to stage attacks in Pakistan. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence on Sunday said dozens of innocent civilians, including women and children, were martyred and wounded when strikes hit a school and homes in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika."

"Nangarhar police told the AFP news agency the bombardment started about midnight (19:30 GMT on Saturday) and hit three districts. Civilians were killed. In one house, there were 23 family members. Five wounded people were taken out, police spokesperson Sayed Tayeeb Hammad said. The Afghan Defence Ministry said it will deliver an appropriate and calculated response to the Pakistani strikes. The two countries have been locked in an increasingly bitter dispute since the Taliban authorities retook control of Afghanistan in 2021."

"Pakistani military action killed 70 Afghan civilians from October to December, according to the United Nations mission in Afghanistan. Several rounds of negotiations followed an initial ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkiye, but they have failed to produce a lasting agreement. Saudi Arabia intervened this month, mediating the release of three Pakistani soldiers captured by Afghanistan in October. The deteriorating relationship has had repercussions for people in both countries with the land border largely closed for months."

Pakistan said it launched strikes on armed groups in Afghanistan after blaming fighters there for recent suicide bombings, including attacks during Ramadan. Kabul denied permitting armed groups to stage attacks from Afghan territory. Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence reported dozens of innocent civilians, including women and children, martyred and wounded when strikes hit a school and homes in Nangarhar and Paktika. Nangarhar police said the bombardment began around midnight, hit three districts, killed civilians, and left one house with 23 family members; five wounded were removed. The Afghan Defence Ministry vowed an appropriate response. Negotiations and mediated exchanges have failed to resolve the broader dispute since 2021, and the closed border continues to affect people in both countries.

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