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Pakistani Airstrikes Kill Nine Civilians in Afghanistan, Taliban Says
Pakistan carried out airstrikes in two Afghan provinces, according to the Taliban.
The Taliban says the strikes hit homes instead of only military targets.
It says nine people, including women and children, died.
Eleven others were hurt, and three houses were destroyed.
Pakistan says its recent strikes targeted militant positions.
Pakistan also disputes Afghanistan’s claims about civilian deaths.
The attacks happened while tensions between the two countries were increasing.
The Taliban condemned the strikes and warned that Afghanistan might respond.
At least nine Afghan civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed and 11 injured in strikes in Kunar and Helmand.
The attacks occurred Wednesday night in Chugam, Kunar, and Safar, Helmand, according to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
Three civilian homes were reportedly destroyed in the strikes.
Pakistan said its recent attacks targeted militant positions and disputed Afghan claims about civilian casualties.
Mujahid accused Pakistan of diverting attention from domestic problems and warned Afghanistan would give an appropriate response.
- Who
- Pakistani military forces and Afghan civilians; the reported casualties were announced by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
- What
- Airstrikes reportedly killed nine civilians, injured 11 people, and destroyed three homes.
- Where
- The latest attacks were reported in Chugam in Kunar Province and Safar in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
- When
- The latest strikes occurred Wednesday night; the casualties were reported on Thursday. Earlier strikes were reported on September 21 and September 24.
- Why
- The Taliban says the attacks were aggression and accused Pakistan of diverting attention from domestic problems; Pakistan says its recent strikes targeted militant positions.
Taliban and Afghan Claims
Pakistan's Account
Nature of the targets
Taliban and Afghan Claims
The Taliban says Pakistani aircraft bombed civilian homes and describes the attacks as aggression and a crime.
Pakistan's Account
Pakistan says its recent strikes targeted militant positions.
Civilian casualties
Taliban and Afghan Claims
Mujahid and Afghan officials report civilian deaths, including nine in the latest strikes and casualties in earlier attacks.
Pakistan's Account
Pakistan disputes Afghan claims about civilian casualties.
Reason for the attacks
Taliban and Afghan Claims
Mujahid alleges Pakistan is using attacks on Afghanistan to divert attention from domestic political and economic problems and avoid obligations under the Mecca agreement.
Pakistan's Account
The articles do not provide Pakistan's response to Mujahid's allegations about political motives.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- Nine Afghan civilians, including women and children
- Reported injuries
- 11 people
- Reported property damage
- Three homes destroyed
- Latest strike locations
- Chugam, Shultan district, Kunar; and Safar, Garmser district, Helmand
- Earlier reported casualties
- Four civilians killed in strikes in Kandahar, Paktia and Khost on September 24; three people killed in Kunar and Paktika three days earlier
- Defence agreement
- Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed an agreement in Mecca on August 7
- Taliban response
- Mujahid condemned the strikes and warned of an appropriate response
Quotes
Zabihullah Mujahid
Taliban spokesperson who described the reported airstrikes and condemned them.
“Last night, Pakistani aircraft bombed civilian homes in Chugam, Shultan District of Kunar, and Safar, Garmser District of Helmand. Nine Afghan civilians, including women and children, were killed, 11 were injured, and three homes were destroyed. We condemn this act as an aggression and crime in violation of all accepted principles.”
thehansindia.com
thestatesman.com
“Pakistan’s recent attacks on Afghanistan were carried out with the aim of escaping the Mecca agreement with Saudi Arabia, while portraying the situation as though Pakistan is engaged in a war in Afghanistan.”
thehansindia.com
thestatesman.com
Sources
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