Afghanistan Accuses Pakistan of Striking Civilian Homes in Deadly Air Raids

According to Afghan officials, several residential areas were struck during the attacks, with women and children reported among the victims. Authorities said some strikes also damaged civilian infrastructure, including fuel depots belonging to the private airline Kam Air near Kandahar’s airport that supply fuel to commercial and United Nations aircraft. Pakistan’s government denied deliberately targeting civilians, stating that its military carried out “successful airstrikes” against alleged militant hideouts linked to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of launching attacks from Afghan territory. The airstrikes come as cross-border hostilities between the two countries intensify, with both sides exchanging attacks since late February in what officials have described as some of the deadliest clashes in years. Afghanistan’s defense authorities said they retaliated by targeting Pakistani military installations in Kohat District, reportedly using drones near Islamabad, though Pakistani officials said the drones were intercepted and caused no major damage. The dispute stems largely from Pakistan’s long-standing accusation that Afghanistan’s Taliban government shelters militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan—claims Kabul denies.