Taliban says Pakistani airstrikes kill dozens in eastern Afghanistan

The Taliban on Monday accused Pakistan of carrying out fresh airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, claiming dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed or injured in attacks on residential areas in Paktika, Paktia and Kunar provinces.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes took place on Sunday night in the Gayan district of Paktika, the Tsamkani district of Paktia and the Manogai district of Kunar.

In a statement posted on X, Mujahid condemned the attacks as a "cowardly act of aggression", alleging that Pakistani forces had targeted civilian areas and caused heavy casualties. He described the strikes as a crime and an act of brutality.

The reported attacks come amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with cross-border hostilities escalating in recent months.

Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad also criticised the reported strikes, accusing Pakistan of ignoring repeated calls for dialogue and choosing military action instead.

In a post on X, Khalilzad said he had consistently condemned attacks that resulted in civilian deaths in Afghanistan and questioned whether Islamabad was genuinely interested in resolving its differences with the Taliban administration through negotiations.

He further suggested that Pakistan's actions could be driven by broader strategic objectives, including keeping Afghanistan unstable or increasing Chinese influence in the country. According to Khalilzad, if those were Islamabad's objectives, they would undermine US interests by creating conditions favourable for militant groups such as ISIS-K and expanding Beijing's regional influence.

Earlier this month, Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan's charge d'affaires in Kabul to protest against alleged violations of Afghan airspace following airstrikes that the Taliban said killed 13 civilians, including 11 children, in Kunar, Khost and Paktika provinces on 9 June.

Pakistan had not immediately commented on the latest allegations.

With IANS inputs