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Pakistani Airstrikes Kill 9, Injure 11 in Afghanistan's Helmand Amid Rising Tensions
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News18•01-10-2026, 11:45
Pakistani Airstrikes Kill 9, Injure 11 in Afghanistan's Helmand Amid Rising Tensions
- •Nine people were killed and eleven injured in recent Pakistani airstrikes across Afghan territory, according to the Afghan government.
- •The bombardment targeted residential areas in Kunar and Helmand provinces, destroying three houses.
- •Afghan government chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the civilian casualties, including women and children, and condemned the act as an aggression.
- •These strikes are part of a pattern of hostile military actions by Pakistan amid escalating bilateral tensions and longstanding border disputes.
- •The UN Mission in Afghanistan reported over 1,100 civilian casualties from cross-border violence this year, while Kabul rejects Pakistan's allegations of harboring militant groups.
Key Questions Answered
Recent Pakistani airstrikes targeting residential areas in Afghanistan's Kunar and Helmand provinces resulted in nine deaths, including women and children, and eleven injuries, while completely obliterating three houses.
The Afghan government, through chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, strongly denounced the military strikes as an unjustified act of aggression and a crime violating all accepted principles, while categorically dismissing allegations of harbouring militant groups.
Islamabad contends that the military actions are necessary because the Afghan government permits factions such as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan to operate from Afghan soil, while Pakistan faces internal security failures and seeks to curb cross-border militancy.
