Afghanistan’s Taliban government has accused Pakistan of conducting air and drone strikes in eastern Afghanistan, specifically in Nangarhar and Khost provinces, resulting in at least three deaths, seven injuries, and significant damage to homes[1][2].
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes as a “provocative act” and summoned the Pakistani ambassador, while the Afghan Defense Ministry warned that such actions would further fuel hatred and tension between the two countries[1][2]. Pakistani officials have not commented on the allegations.
According to Afghan officials, the strikes were launched by Pakistani drones. Residents in Nangarhar described scenes of devastation, with entire homes destroyed and families searching for survivors among the rubble[1][2].
Historically, Kabul has accused Pakistan of carrying out similar cross-border strikes targeting suspected hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban, a group outlawed in Pakistan but closely linked with the Afghan Taliban[1][2]. Pakistan, in turn, accuses Afghanistan of sheltering these militants, a claim the Taliban government denies.
The latest violence occurred shortly after high-level talks between diplomats from Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan aimed at improving security cooperation. Despite recent attempts at diplomatic engagement, relations remain tense, particularly since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021[1][2].
On a related front, the United Nations has called on Pakistan to halt the forced returns of Afghan refugees. Reports indicate that thousands of Afghan refugees, including those holding legal Proof of Registration (PoR) documents, have been arrested and deported as part of Pakistan’s “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.” The UNHCR has expressed grave concern, emphasizing that such actions violate the principle of non-refoulement and could destabilize the region further[3]. News reports and regional broadcasters confirm that the mass deportation and exodus of Afghan refugees from Pakistan continues to accelerate[4].
References
- [1] Kabul blames Pakistan for airstrikes that killed 3 people in eastern Afghanistan – Arab News
- [2] Taliban blames Pakistan for airstrikes that killed three people in eastern Afghanistan – The New Indian Express
- [3] UNHCR urges Pakistan to stop forced returns of Afghan refugees – UN News
- [4] Thousands of Afghan Refugees Fleeing Pakistan | Headlines 3 PM | Khyber News