Pakistan has once again violated the ceasefire by conducting an airstrike on Afghanistan. Nine Afghan children and one woman lost their lives in the attack. The incident triggered outrage against Pakistan in Afghanistan. The Taliban have strongly condemned the airstrike. They have also warned Pakistan of consequences.
Pakistan carried out the strike a day after a suicide attack took place at the Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar, which claimed three Pakistani security personnel.
The spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that Pakistan targeted the provinces of Khost, Paktika, and Kunar. He said that in these attacks, nine children and one woman were killed in the Gurbuz district of Khost.
Mujahid said: “Last night, around 12 o’clock, the Pakistani occupying army bombed the house of a civilian in the Mughalghai area of Gurbuz district in Khost, killing nine children (five boys and four girls) and one woman, and the house was destroyed. Airstrikes were also carried out in Kunar and Paktika, in which four civilians were injured.”
Meanwhile, Former Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai condemned the incident, saying that Pakistan should shun hostile policies against Afghanistan.
He further said, “I strongly condemn Pakistan’s airstrikes in Khost, Paktika, and Kunar, in which children and women were killed. This act goes against all international principles. We appeal to Pakistan to rebuild its relations with Afghanistan in accordance with international norms and as a good neighbour, to act with future, and to avoid repeating harmful and hostile policies.”
The former U.S. Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, also expressed grief to the families of the victims and condemned the attacks. He said that killing civilians is not a solution to any problem.
In recent weeks, meetings were held in Qatar and Turkey to reduce tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where extensive discussions took place to find a resolution.
