Pakistan airstrikes in Afghanistan kill 35 civilians, claims Taliban

Pakistan's airstrikes in eastern border areas of Afghanistan have sparked fresh tensions between the two countries. Pakistan claims the operation targeted militant hideouts, killing 29 terrorists. However, Afghanistan's ruling Taliban government has said at least 35 civilians, including women, children and the elderly, were killed and over 100 injured in the strikes.

The joint ground and air operation was conducted late on Sunday night, June 28, in the border areas of Afghanistan's Paktika, Paktia and Kunar provinces. Pakistan's Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said the operation was based on intelligence and carried out in response to recent terrorist attacks, targeting hideouts of the banned Jamat-ul-Ahrar and 'Fitna Al Khawarij' groups, killing 29 militants.

Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and "cowardly aggression," saying women and children were among the victims. He said several residential houses were damaged and the injured were admitted to local hospitals.

There are significant differences in the casualty figures reported by Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan has long accused the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of using Afghan soil to launch attacks inside Pakistan, a claim Kabul has consistently denied.