Pakistan’s ‘Targeted Strikes’ Along Afghan Border Kill Dozens, Including Members of Single Family

Pakistan’s military carried out what it described as “intelligence-based targeted strikes” along the Afghanistan border, but Afghan authorities allege the attacks killed dozens of civilians, including women and children.

According to Afghan officials, at least 17 members of the same family were among those killed in Airstrikes conducted in eastern Afghanistan. The strikes reportedly hit areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, both of which share a volatile border with Pakistan.

Airstrikes in Nangarhar and Paktika

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the Pakistani military bombed civilian neighborhoods late Saturday night, causing widespread casualties.

“They bombed our civilian neighbors in the provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika, killing and injuring dozens, including women and children,” Mujahid said, accusing Pakistani authorities of using such operations to deflect from their own internal security challenges.

Local reports cited by Afghan media outlet TOLOnews stated that 23 members of one family were buried under rubble after a house was struck in the Behsud district of Nangarhar province. Rescue efforts were ongoing, with only a handful of survivors reportedly pulled from the debris at the time of reporting.

Pakistan Confirms Strikes, Denies Civilian Targeting

Islamabad acknowledged conducting airstrikes but maintained that the operation specifically targeted militant hideouts near the border.

Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Information Minister, said in a statement that the country carried out intelligence-based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and affiliated groups.

Pakistani media, citing security sources, described the operation as precise and aimed at facilities associated with Fitna al Khwarij (FAK) and Daesh’s Khorasan Province.

Recent Spike in Violence Cited by Islamabad

The strikes follow a wave of deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Recent incidents include a suicide bombing near the Afghan border that killed 11 soldiers and a child, as well as another attack in Bannu that left two security personnel dead.

Pakistani officials argue that armed groups operating from Afghan territory are responsible for these attacks. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban-led government in Kabul of failing to curb extremist organizations using Afghan soil for cross-border operations.

Pakistan claims it possesses “conclusive evidence” linking Afghan-based militants to recent violence, including a mosque explosion in Islamabad that resulted in significant casualties.

Kabul Rejects Allegations

The Afghan government has consistently denied harboring militant groups targeting Pakistan. Officials in Kabul maintain that Afghanistan’s territory is not being used for cross-border terrorism and have criticized Pakistan’s air operations as violations of sovereignty.

The latest strikes are likely to further strain already tense relations between the neighboring countries. Border closures, skirmishes, and diplomatic disputes have marked relations in recent months.

Regional Stability at Risk

Security analysts warn that continued cross-border military actions risk escalating tensions into a broader confrontation. Civilian casualties, if confirmed, could inflame public sentiment and complicate efforts to stabilize the region.

As both sides trade accusations, the situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains fragile, with humanitarian concerns mounting amid reports of civilian deaths and ongoing rescue operations.

The coming days will be critical in determining whether diplomatic engagement can prevent further escalation or whether the conflict along the border deepens.