UN reports at least 28 civilians killed after Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan
Kyiv • UNN
Pakistani airstrikes near the border with Afghanistan have killed at least 28 civilians and wounded 49. The death toll may rise as hospitals continue to provide assistance.
At least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others injured as a result of airstrikes carried out by Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan. This was reported by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), writes UNN.
Details
UNAMA noted that the death toll could rise as hospitals continue to treat the wounded.
Meanwhile, Pakistani security forces claimed to have killed at least 29 militants during ground and air operations along the border with Afghanistan. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that airstrikes on three targets in the Afghan provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar killed 25 militants and destroyed a "large quantity" of weapons and ammunition.
Sunday's air attack was Pakistan's second operation against targets in Afghanistan that Islamabad calls militant bases. According to Reuters, this could further escalate the conflict between the countries after the largest clashes in recent years.
Afghan Taliban reports higher civilian death toll
Afghan government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said the strikes killed 38 civilians and wounded 163 others, including women and children.
According to him, the highest number of casualties was recorded after the bombing of a residential building in Paktia province, where 28 people were killed and 158 wounded. Deputy head of the Samkani district, Khalid Ahmad Sajjad, said the second airstrike occurred when local residents rushed to help the victims.
Everyone was asleep when the plane arrived and began attacking this house. Inside the house were children, women, men and the elderly
Pakistan accuses the Afghan authorities of harboring militants whom Islamabad believes are involved in preparing attacks on its territory. The Afghan Taliban rejects these accusations, stating that militant activity is an internal problem of Pakistan.