Four Civilians Reported Dead as Pakistani Air Strikes Hit Afghan Provinces, Taliban Says

Afghanistan’s Taliban administration reported that Pakistani airstrikes had killed four civilians, marking the latest escalation between the two nations. The strikes targeted several provinces, including Kandahar, a stronghold of Taliban control, according to sources who spoke with the BBC. A local resident described hearing a jet followed by a massive explosion and subsequent fire in the city, as reported by AFP.

Pakistan confirmed its forces had struck 10 targets inside Afghan territory, describing the operations as “strictly limited to identified military objectives,” though it did not specify the locations. This represents the second wave of Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil within a week, following a deadly assault on a Pakistani police facility on 18 September.

In response, the Taliban vowed an “appropriate response,” while Pakistan warned it would retaliate against any further “provocative act.” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the strikes occurred in Kandahar, Paktia, and Khost provinces.

In Paktia, officials said jets had bombed the Afghan Armed Forces’ 203 Mansouri Corps, which falls under Taliban control, but provided no casualty figures. In Khost, a spokesman reported property damage but no fatalities. Local eyewitness Abdullah told Reuters the strikes occurred around midnight.

“People were shouting, and there was panic all around,” Abdullah recalled. “Afterwards, the village elder arrived and called out to the houses, asking if anyone was killed. Thankfully, no one was killed.”

Another resident, Salamat Khan, told Reuters, “There is no military base here, nor are there any military personnel,” adding, “there are only the homes of ordinary civilians.”

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