Taliban warned they will deliver a “timely” retaliatory response after Pakistani forces carried out overnight airstrikes in three border provinces, an assault they condemned as a “violation and a crime” that will only deepen the crisis between the two sides.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesman, said in a statement that the strikes hit parts of Khost, Paktika and Kunar provinces around midnight, killing at least 10 civilians — nine children, including five boys and four girls, and one woman. He said a house belonging to a resident identified as Walayat Khan in Khost’s Gurbuz district was targeted and destroyed.
Mujahid said four civilians were also wounded in strikes in Kunar and Paktika, where two additional homes were damaged.
“We consider the use of Afghanistan’s airspace and territory, and the defense of our people, our legitimate right,” the statement said. Mujahid added that the attacks “were carried out based on incorrect information” and “will bring nothing but further crisis, disgrace and failure for Pakistan’s military regime.”
Taliban also described the strikes as a violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and “contrary to all accepted international standards.” Pakistani officials have not yet commented publicly.
The attack comes amid unprecedented tension between Pakistan and the Taliban over the past two months. In October, an eight‑day border clash left about 37 people dead and more than 400 wounded, and Pakistan also launched airstrikes targeting parts of Kabul.
As with previous strikes that coincided with a Taliban foreign minister’s travel abroad, the latest bombardment occurred while Taliban Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi was visiting India.
Meanwhile, all major border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been closed to trade and travel for nearly seven weeks. Two rounds of talks in Istanbul this month ended without progress.
Iran and Saudi Arabia have recently expressed readiness to mediate between Islamabad and the Taliban as the standoff deepens.
