Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province have killed at least 46 people, including women and children, and wounded six others, BTA reports.
The strikes targeted four locations, with the majority of victims being refugees from Pakistan's Waziristan region.
Afghanistan's reaction and Pakistan's accusations
The Afghan government strongly condemned the attacks, calling them a “barbaric act“ and “a clear act of aggression“. They said they would defend their territory and summoned the Pakistani diplomat to protest. For its part, Pakistan claims that the strikes were aimed at hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan group, which it accuses of receiving support from the Afghan Taliban.
Political context and ongoing tensions
The incident comes amid attempts to improve bilateral relations and rising tensions following the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Attacks in Pakistan have increased significantly, further straining relations between the two countries.