Pakistan Carries Out Fierce Airstrike in Afghanistan’s Khost Province; At Least 10 Civilians Killed, Mostly Children

Kabul:
Pakistan has once again launched a deadly airstrike inside Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 Afghan civilians, most of them children. The Taliban administration has confirmed the incident and strongly condemned Pakistan for what it has called a “direct attack on Afghan sovereignty.”

According to Afghan officials, the strike took place around midnight in the Mughalghai area of Gurbuzi district, Khost province. Pakistani forces allegedly bombed the home of a local resident, Waliat Khan, killing nine children — five boys and four girls — and one woman. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid released these details in an official statement.

Taliban Accuses Pakistan of Targeting an Entire Family

The Taliban government has accused Pakistan of intentionally attacking a civilian home and wiping out an entire family. Calling the strike “an inhumane and brutal assault,” Afghan officials have demanded international attention and immediate accountability.

Pakistan, meanwhile, has issued no official confirmation of the operation. However, this is not the first time such an incident has triggered intense tensions between the two neighboring countries. A similar airstrike last month pushed the two nations to the brink of open conflict.

Airstrikes Reported in Multiple Provinces

Afghan spokesperson Mujahid further stated that Pakistani forces conducted additional strikes in Kunar and Paktika provinces, injuring four more civilians. He added that another woman was among the victims of the Khost attack.

The airstrikes come shortly after failed ceasefire talks between Taliban representatives and Pakistani officials held in Qatar and later in Turkey. Despite several rounds of negotiations, both sides failed to reach an agreement.

Major Escalation After Peshawar Suicide Attack

Just a day before the airstrike, Pakistan suffered a deadly suicide bombing targeting a paramilitary headquarters in Peshawar, killing several Pakistani soldiers. Security analysts believe that Islamabad launched the strike in Afghanistan as a retaliatory move.

Last month, after Pakistan bombed parts of Kabul, Taliban fighters struck back by launching heavy attacks at nine different points along the border, killing more than 50 Pakistani soldiers. The pressure between the two nations has since remained dangerously high.

Civilians Pay the Price Amid Cross-Border Tensions

Monday’s deadly airstrike highlights a disturbing pattern: civilians—especially children—are becoming the primary victims of Pakistan–Afghanistan hostilities. The killing of nine children from a single family has sparked outrage, raising urgent questions about the legality and ethics of cross-border retaliation.

As both governments exchange accusations, the risk of further escalation looms large, threatening to destabilize the entire region.