Local sources in Kandahar province said parts of Spin Boldak district were hit by an airstrike on Wednesday amid ongoing clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistani border troops.
Witnesses reported seeing warplanes over the district that carried out several airstrikes before leaving the area. The aircraft are believed to belong to the Pakistani military, although this has not been confirmed.
The reported airstrike coincided with renewed fighting at the Spin Boldak border crossing. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said 12 civilians were killed and more than 100 others wounded in early morning clashes that began around 4 a.m. and continued until nearly 8 a.m.
Mujahid claimed Pakistani forces initiated the clash by firing light and heavy weapons, prompting a response from Taliban fighters.
Cross-border fighting between the Taliban and Pakistani forces has intensified since Tuesday, with both sides reporting heavy casualties.
Meanwhile, Richard Bennett, the U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has called for an immediate end to the hostilities and urged all sides to protect civilians in border areas.
