In an unusual move, Pakistan carried out airstrikes on suspected Taliban hideouts in Afghanistan, resulting in civilian casualties and intensifying regional tensions. The Taliban has vowed retaliation, condemning the attacks as a violation of their sovereignty. As recovery operations begin, the incident underscores the fragile state of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.
Pakistan Launches Airstrikes On Afghanistan, Killing 46; Taliban Threatens Retaliation
In response to the attack, the Taliban's Ministry of Defence has pledged retaliation, asserting their right to defend their land and sovereignty.
According to AFP, Taliban said that Pakistani airstrikes hit the Barmal district of Paktika province, killing at least 46 people, including women and children, with the death toll expected to rise.
The airstrikes, which occurred on the night of December 24, targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five family members were killed. Reports also indicate that Murg Bazaar village in Barmal was severely damaged, further deepening the region's humanitarian crisis.
It was the second such attack on alleged hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban since March, when Pakistan said intelligence-based strikes took place in the border regions inside Afghanistan, news agency Associated Press reported.
Retaliation By Taliban
In response to the attack, the Taliban's Ministry of Defence has pledged retaliation, asserting their right to defend their land and sovereignty. They condemned the strikes, claiming that "Waziristani refugees" were among those targeted.
While Pakistani officials have not confirmed the airstrikes, the reports come amid growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially concerning the presence of Pakistani militants on Afghan soil.
The Taliban's strained relationship with Pakistan stems from several issues. The Taliban accuses Pakistan of interfering in Afghanistan's internal matters, particularly through support for factions aligned with Pakistan's strategic interests. Tensions have also escalated over the presence of Pakistani militant groups in Afghanistan, with the Taliban condemning Pakistan라이브 바카라 role in harboring them. Disputes over the Durand Line, the contentious border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, further fuel animosity, as the Taliban refuses to recognize it as an official border. These factors combined have deepened the rift, with both sides vying for influence over Afghanistan라이브 바카라 future and regional power dynamics.
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