Pakistan airstrikes Paktika province in Afghanistan, 15 killed, Taliban vows to retaliate

While Pakistani officials have not officially confirmed the airstrike, security sources close to the military said that the attack was aimed at Taliban hideouts near the border. Meanwhile, the Taliban govt in Afghanistan has vowed to retaliate.

In a major escalation, Pakistan conducted a series of airstrikes on the Barmal district of Paktika province in Afghanistan which resulted in the death of at least 15 people, including women and children, with the toll expected to rise. 

The strike was conducted on the night of December 24 and targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five members of a family were killed, as reported by Khaama Press. Local sources have claimed that Pakistani jets conducted the bombings. Reports indicate that the ongoing humanitarian crisis has further exacerbated in Murg Bazaar village in Barmal, which was destroyed.

The airstrikes caused severe civilian casualties and widespread destruction, further escalating tensions in the region. The recovery efforts were initiated soon after the strike. While Pakistan has not confirmed the strikes, the sources close to the military said that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts were the primary target.

The Taliban's Ministry of Defence vowed to retaliate following the airstrike on Barmal, Paktika. Taliban stated that defending the land and sovereignty was their legitimate right, and condemned the attack. It also claimed that "Waziristani refugees" were among those targeted. Enayatullah Khwarazmi, a spokesperson for the Taliban Ministry of Defence, denied the Pakistani claims and posted on X (formerly Twitter) that "civilian people, mostly Waziristani refugees," had been killed in the airstrike. Khwarazmi added that "several children and other civilians were martyred and wounded" in the attack, though no official casualty figures were provided.

This must be noted that Waziristani refugees are civilians who have been displaced by military operations in Pakistan's tribal areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, Pakistan maintains that many TTP commanders and fighters have also fled to Afghanistan, where they are reportedly being protected by the Afghan Taliban in border provinces.

After the Taliban takeover, Pakistan was sure of cordial relations as it was the first to recognise the terrorist-led regime as legitimate. However, the increased TTP attacks in Pakistan, especially targeting the Pak Army, Air Force  bases and check posts soured the relations. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban of providing refuge to the TTP terrorists while the latter has continued to defy it. 

(With inputs from agencies)