KABUL, Afghanistan — Pakistani warplanes bombed three areas in Barmal District of Paktika Province on Tuesday night, targeting locations including Margha, Laman, and Pitaogi, local sources told Amu TV.
Taliban spokespersons confirmed the strikes, reporting that at least 46 people were killed. The victims reportedly included Waziristani refugees, along with Afghan civilians, including children, according to the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense.
Taliban officials condemned the strikes as a “cowardly act” and warned that Pakistan’s actions would not go unanswered. “The Pakistani side must understand that such arbitrary actions will not resolve any issues,” said Enayatullah Khawarazmi, a spokesman for the Taliban’s Ministry of Defense. “The Islamic Emirate considers the defense of its territory and sovereignty a fundamental right.”
Public outcry
The airstrikes have drawn sharp criticism from residents of Paktika and neighboring provinces, who called on the international community to intervene.
“Pakistani warplanes bombed innocent Afghan civilians last night,” said Naqibullah Zaland, a resident of Khost. “We urge the world to stop this crime.”
Another resident of Paktika condemned the attack as an egregious violation of norms between neighboring countries. “We are two Islamic nations, neighbors tied to each other. This act is deeply wrong and shameful,” he said.
“It was a barbaric act,” another Paktika resident said. “We call on the United Nations to hold Pakistan accountable for these brutal attacks.”
A pattern of cross-border strikes
This is not the first time Pakistan has carried out airstrikes in Paktika. On March 19, 2023, Pakistani warplanes struck parts of Barmal District, reportedly targeting a commander of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, a video later surfaced of a man named Abdullah Shah, who identified himself as the targeted commander, claiming he was alive and residing in Waziristan, Pakistan. The video’s authenticity could not be independently verified by Amu TV.
Islamabad has yet to issue an official statement on the latest strikes. The incident highlights the volatile nature of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where cross-border violence and accusations of harboring militants have further strained relations between the two countries.
