Islamabad [Pakistan], June 11: Afghanistan on Wednesday accused Pakistan's military of carrying out airstrikes on civilian homes in three provinces in the east of the country, saying the attacks killed 13 civilians, including 11 children. In a statement, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces had violated Afghan airspace overnight and bombed homes in the provinces of Kunar, Khost and Paktika. According to Mujahid, 11 children, one woman, and one elderly man were killed in the strikes. He said 14 other women and children were injured. "We strongly condemn this humanitarian crime and act of aggression," Mujahid said in the statement.
There was no immediate official response from Pakistan's military or government. However, Pakistani security sources said airstrikes were carried out following a deadly militant raid on a paramilitary check post near the city of Peshawar on Tuesday.
The attack killed six troops and wounded four others, the sources said. "Any attack in Pakistan that is traced to Afghanistan will be retaliated," a Pakistani security official said. Relations between the neighbouring countries remain strained over security issues. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan's Taliban authorities of backing the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group responsible for decades of attacks inside Pakistan.
Source: Qatar Tribune
