Afghan Officials: Pakistani Strikes Kill Eight in Border Regions

Pakistani airstrikes in the eastern border regions of Afghanistan have resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, all identified as women and children, according to the Taliban government. The strikes took place in the early hours of the morning in Khost and Paktika provinces, adjacent to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, has condemned these actions as a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty.

The airstrikes occurred in a context of heightened border tensions, which have been escalating since the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan in 2021. Pakistan has claimed that militant groups based in Afghanistan are conducting frequent attacks on Pakistani soil. The latest incident of violence was the killing of seven Pakistani soldiers in a suicide bombing at a military post near the Afghan border, an attack for which Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari promised strong retaliation.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group, has confirmed the occurrence of the airstrikes but denied that they were the intended target, stating that their operations are conducted within Pakistan. The Pakistani army and foreign office have yet to issue a statement in response to the allegations of the airstrikes. The situation reflects the ongoing challenges in the security dynamics between the two neighboring countries.