Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed on Tuesday that Pakistan conducted overnight airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Khost, Kunar, and Paktika provinces, killing nine children and a woman.
In a post on social media platform X, he said that Pakistan had “bombed” Khost province, and carried out air strikes in Kunar and Paktika provinces.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated recently, largely due to Islamabad’s concerns over the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban government to prevent militants from using Afghan territory for attacks, a charge Kabul denies.
Efforts to ease tensions have seen multiple rounds of talks, including meetings in Turkey facilitated by mediators Turkiye and Qatar. While the dialogue was briefly revived, it collapsed again on November 7 when Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared the negotiations suspended indefinitely due to major unresolved issues.
Following the breakdown in talks, the Afghan Taliban halted trade with Pakistan, while Pakistan had already closed its border after earlier clashes. Although Turkiye announced plans to send senior officials to help mediate, their visit has yet to materialize.
The Pakistani Foreign Office recently stated that trade with Afghanistan will resume only if Kabul curbs cross-border terrorism, adding that key regional energy projects also depend on the Taliban taking action against militant groups.
The accusation surfaced on the same day a suicide attack targeted the Federal Constabulary headquarters in Pakistan, resulting in three personnel being martyred and injuring 12 others.
