Pakistan has been accused of carrying out strikes in eastern Afghanistan that killed at least 10 people, including nine children. The Taliban's government spokesperson said the Pakistani military launched airstrikes on a house in Khost province, killing five boys, four girls, and one woman.
According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the attack occurred in retaliation for a suicide bombing that targeted Pakistan's Federal Constabulary force headquarters in Peshawar city. The suicide attack killed three officers and wounded 11 others.
Pakistan's president Asif Zardari has blamed the attacks on Afghan nationals, citing "foreign-backed Fitna al-Khawarij", or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants operating from Afghan soil. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the strikes.
The incident is part of a volatile situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have seen a recent surge in violence and border clashes that killed over 70 people on both sides. The two countries have been at odds since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Talks between Pakistani and Afghan officials ended without an agreement last week, with security issues, particularly Pakistan's demand for Kabul to curb TTP fighters, remaining a sticking point. Islamabad has long accused the Taliban of sheltering the militants behind the surge in attacks against Pakistan.
However, Kabul denies these allegations, claiming that Pakistan harbours groups hostile to Afghanistan and disregards its sovereignty.
According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the attack occurred in retaliation for a suicide bombing that targeted Pakistan's Federal Constabulary force headquarters in Peshawar city. The suicide attack killed three officers and wounded 11 others.
Pakistan's president Asif Zardari has blamed the attacks on Afghan nationals, citing "foreign-backed Fitna al-Khawarij", or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants operating from Afghan soil. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the strikes.
The incident is part of a volatile situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have seen a recent surge in violence and border clashes that killed over 70 people on both sides. The two countries have been at odds since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.
Talks between Pakistani and Afghan officials ended without an agreement last week, with security issues, particularly Pakistan's demand for Kabul to curb TTP fighters, remaining a sticking point. Islamabad has long accused the Taliban of sheltering the militants behind the surge in attacks against Pakistan.
However, Kabul denies these allegations, claiming that Pakistan harbours groups hostile to Afghanistan and disregards its sovereignty.
. The fact that a house was hit by airstrikes just because of some suicide bombing in Peshawar is just horrific. I don't think it's fair to blame Afghan nationals for the attack, and blaming them like that just makes things worse between Pakistan and Afghanistan 
.
. And what really gets me is how both countries keep accusing each other of harbouring militants without any proof 
. It's like they're just trying to avoid talking about the real issues.
. It's not fair that they're caught in the middle of this conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The fact that it was retaliation for a suicide bombing in Peshawar just makes things worse #JusticeForTheVictims #StopTheViolence
. It shows how hard it is to find common ground when there are so many differences between the two countries. The security issues and border clashes are just too big of a problem right now #PeaceIsPossible #Coexist
. The fact is, there are some unsavory characters on both sides that need to be held accountable for the violence 
. I'm not saying Pakistan isn't trying to protect itself from external threats, but sometimes you gotta wonder if they're using the TTP as a scapegoat for their own internal issues 
It's time for both sides to stop playing politics with the lives of innocent people 
It's just horrific! And the fact that it was allegedly in retaliation for a suicide attack on Pakistani soil is just another layer of complexity. I mean, who gets to decide when to respond with violence and when not to? 
It's like they're stuck in some sort of toxic cycle where no one can admit fault or take responsibility. I'm all for holding people accountable, but sometimes you just gotta sit down and talk things through, right? 
. pakistan's president zardari should be, like, super worried about what he's saying out there 
. and those talks between pakistani and afghan officials? forget about it 
. we need some fresh thinking on this one 
. What really gets me is that there are more innocent people dying because of all this. Like, what's the point? Can't they just talk to each other like civilized people?
Kids caught in the crossfire again