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Afghan officials say Pakistani airstrikes kill 36 civilians
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Pakistani forces conducted ground operations and strikes in Afghanistan overnight, killing at least 36 civilians and wounding over 160, escalating tensions between the two countries.
- Pakistan stated the operations targeted militant hideouts in response to attacks inside Pakistan, killing 29 fighters, while Afghanistan condemned the strikes as acts of aggression and vowed retaliation.
- The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan confirmed civilian casualties, including women and children, and both countries summoned each other's diplomats to protest the attacks.
- The violence follows a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan attributed to the Pakistani Taliban and allied groups, with Pakistan accusing Afghan nationals of involvement, a claim India denies.
- Recent cross-border strikes come amid months of military action and failed peace talks, with hundreds killed since February despite international efforts to broker a ceasefire.
