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Pakistan carried out fresh airstrikes in Afghanistan targeting Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia and Paktika, with Taliban authorities claiming civilian homes were destroyed and at least four people were killed.
UPDATED: Mar 13, 2026 10:31 IST
Pakistan has carried out fresh airstrikes in Afghanistan, targeting Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Paktika and other areas, with Afghan authorities claiming that civilian homes were destroyed and at least four people were killed. The Taliban said women and two children were among the casualties in the latest escalation between the two neighbouring countries.
According to the Taliban administration, Pakistani forces bombed several locations, including residential areas, during the latest round of attacks. Afghan officials said the strikes destroyed civilian homes in some areas, while other bombs hit empty desert locations and vacant land.
“With the continued airstrikes and crimes, once again the Pakistani military regime has bombed Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Paktika and some other areas, destroying civilian homes in some places, which martyred women and children, and in some places they have targeted empty deserts and vacant spots,” the Taliban said in a statement.
The Islamic Emirate strongly condemned the strikes, calling them “cruel aggression” and saying the attacks during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan and on the eve of Eid showed a disregard for “human principles and moral values.” The Taliban warned that the aggression would “not go unanswered.”
The Taliban also said Pakistan bombed a fuel depot belonging to the private airline Kam Air near Kandahar airport. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the company supplies fuel to civilian airlines as well as United Nations aircraft.
The latest strikes come as tensions remain high between the two South Asian neighbours. The fighting erupted last month after Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan that Islamabad said targeted militant strongholds. Afghanistan rejected the claim and called the strikes a violation of its sovereignty, responding with retaliatory attacks.
Before the latest incident, neither side had reported Pakistani airstrikes in recent days and ground fighting along the 2,600 km border between the two countries had also tapered off. Pakistan’s military did not respond to requests for comment on the latest claims.
Militancy has long been a major point of contention between the two countries. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of providing safe havens to militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban has denied these allegations, saying militancy is Pakistan’s internal problem.
Efforts have also been underway to reduce tensions. Reuters reported that mediation efforts by China had helped ease fighting between the two countries. Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad and Beijing were engaged in a “dialogue process” on Afghanistan.
- Ends
Published By:
Akshat Trivedi
Published On:
Mar 13, 2026 10:31 IST
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