The Taliban government in Afghanistan accused Pakistan of launching airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, primarily children, in the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar, and Paktika. The Pakistani military swiftly dismissed these allegations, asserting that no such strikes took place.
On October 31, 2023, Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesperson for the Afghan government, stated on social media platform X that a Pakistani airstrike targeted a civilian home in Khost province, killing nine children and one woman. He further alleged that additional strikes in Kunar and Paktika resulted in injuries to four others. Mujahid condemned the attacks as “atrocities” and insisted that they constituted a violation of Afghan sovereignty.
Escalating Tensions Between Afghanistan and Pakistan
The recent accusations come in the wake of rising tensions between the two nations, particularly following a series of cross-border clashes that intensified after Afghanistan accused Pakistan of drone strikes in Kabul in early October. Pakistani military spokesperson Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry refuted Mujahid’s claims, emphasizing that Pakistan does not target civilians. He clarified that any strikes conducted previously were aimed at the hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban, who have been linked to rising violence within Pakistan.
Chaudhry stated during a briefing in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, “We announce and acknowledge whenever we carry out such strikes.” The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar and Turkey in mid-October, remains intact despite the allegations of airstrikes, although there has been no immediate comment from either nation regarding the situation.
In a related diplomatic effort, Iranian officials have expressed a willingness to mediate tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, revealed that he met with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on the same day as the allegations arose.
Local Reactions and Recent Violent Incidents
In Khost, local residents have begun to sift through the rubble of the damaged home, retrieving personal belongings. One resident, Muhammad Iqbal, expressed his grief, stating, “You see the cruelty with your own eyes; young children and a woman were martyred.” He confirmed that the deceased were members of his cousin’s family. Local tribal leader Mer Adam Khan reported seeing a drone flying over the area at the time of the incident, although he could not determine its origin.
The situation is further complicated by recent violence in Pakistan. On October 30, 2023, a deadly attack in Peshawar resulted in the deaths of three police officers and injuries to eleven others when two suicide bombers and a gunman attacked the Federal Constabulary headquarters. The Pakistani Taliban, known locally as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has been implicated in this and other violent incidents, raising concerns about cross-border militancy.
Pakistan’s military has intensified operations against militants, claiming to have killed 1,873 militants in various operations since January. Recently, security forces reported the killing of 22 militants during a raid on what they described as a hideout of “Indian-backed” fighters in Bannu, a region in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border. The military refers to these militants as Khawarij, alleging support from Afghanistan and India, claims both Kabul and New Delhi deny.
Pakistan has consistently urged the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan to prevent TTP militants from using Afghan territory to conduct attacks. Relations between the two governments have worsened since Afghanistan accused Pakistan of responsibility for the October 9, 2023 drone strikes in Kabul, leading to a series of violent clashes that claimed numerous lives.
Efforts to ease the ongoing conflict have faltered, with diplomatic discussions in Istanbul failing to yield a resolution. Pakistan’s insistence on a written guarantee from Afghanistan that TTP fighters will not operate from its territory has not been met, complicating the prospect for peace.
The deteriorating ties have also severely impacted trade, with all border crossings between the two countries closed since last month. This situation has hindered the movement of people, preventing residents from both sides from visiting family and friends.
The escalating hostilities and the humanitarian implications for local populations remain a significant concern as both nations navigate a complex and challenging relationship.