Civilian Casualties Reported Following Pakistani Airstrikes in Afghanistan
Tragic Airstrikes in Afghanistan
Screengrab shows the devastation following PAF airstrike across Afghanistan
(Source: @ArianaVoice11/X)
Kabul, October 1: A tragic incident unfolded as Pakistani military airstrikes targeted civilian residences in Afghanistan's Kunar and Helmand provinces, resulting in the deaths of at least nine civilians, including women and children, and injuring 11 others, according to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
Mujahid condemned the airstrikes as an "act of aggression," stating that the attacks occurred on Wednesday night in the Chugam area of Shultan district in Kunar and the Safar area of Garmser district in Helmand, leading to civilian casualties and the destruction of three homes.
He reported, "Pakistani aircraft bombed civilian homes in Chugam, Shultan District of Kunar, and Safar, Garmser District of Helmand. Nine Afghan civilians, including women and children, were killed, 11 were injured, and three homes were destroyed. We denounce this act as aggression and a crime against accepted norms," Mujahid shared on X.
This incident is part of a troubling trend, as recent days have seen a surge in Pakistani airstrikes across various Afghan provinces.
On September 24, airstrikes in Kandahar, Paktia, and Khost resulted in the deaths of four civilians, while earlier strikes in Kunar and Paktika claimed three lives.
Last week, Mujahid accused Pakistan of launching these attacks to distract from its internal issues and evade responsibilities under the Mecca Pact, as reported by local media.
While addressing a gathering at a religious seminary in Kandahar, Mujahid alleged that Islamabad was using military actions against Afghanistan to divert public attention from its growing political and economic challenges, including domestic protests.
The Mecca Pact, signed on August 7 by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey, aims to bolster collective defense against aggression, stating that an attack on one signatory would be viewed as an attack on all.
Mujahid asserted, "Pakistan's recent military actions against Afghanistan are attempts to escape the obligations of the Mecca agreement with Saudi Arabia, while misleadingly portraying the situation as if Pakistan is engaged in a war in Afghanistan."
He further stated, "By violating the sovereignty of its neighboring Islamic nation, Pakistan seeks to distract from its failures," as reported by Afghan media outlet Ariana News.
Mujahid also warned that Afghanistan would respond appropriately to what he termed the "bullying" of the Pakistani military regime.