Pakistan launched coordinated ground and air operations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, claiming to have killed 29 militants, while the Afghan Taliban alleged civilians, including women and children, were killed.
WEBDESK – MEDIABITES NEWS – REUTERS
Pakistan’s security forces carried out coordinated ground and air operations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Sunday, killing at least 29 militants, according to Pakistani officials, while the Afghan Taliban claimed dozens of civilians were killed and injured in cross-border air strikes.
Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said four militants linked to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar were killed in ground operations. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar is considered a faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In a statement posted on X early Monday, Tarar said Pakistani air strikes targeted three locations in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces, where 25 militants were killed. He added that large quantities of weapons and ammunition were also destroyed during the operation.
Tarar said the military action was launched in response to “recent multiple terrorist incidents” inside Pakistan.
The latest escalation follows a deadly attack in Karachi on Saturday, where militants linked to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar attacked a Sindh Rangers facility using bombs and gunfire. Pakistan’s military said three paramilitary troops were killed while four others were injured in the assault.
Meanwhile, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid strongly condemned the strikes, accusing Pakistan of targeting civilians in Afghan territory.
“The attacks resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of civilians, including women and children. We strongly condemn this cowardly act of aggression and consider it a crime and an act of brutality,” Mujahid said in a post on X.
Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have remained high over border security and militant activity. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban government of providing safe havens to militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.
The Afghan Taliban, however, denies the allegations and insists that militancy in Pakistan is an internal security issue.
The latest cross-border operation is likely to further strain already fragile relations between the two neighboring countries amid growing security concerns in the region.
