Afghan government says 4 killed in fresh airstrikes by Pakistan

- Pakistani Information Minister Tarar says no civilian population or civilian infrastructures targeted

ISTANBUL

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said “civilian” houses were hit in the Guzar area of Kabul’s 21st district, “leaving four people -- including women and children -- dead and 15 others injured.”

As part of its cross-border operation, dubbed "Ghazb Lil Haq," launched in late February, Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed in Islamabad that on the night between Thursday and Friday, forces targeted "'terrorist-affiliated' installations in Afghanistan."

“Pakistan precisely targeted only those installations which directly / indirectly support terrorism from inside Afghanistan and terrorist camps. No civilian population or civilian infrastructures were targeted,” Tarar said on the US social media company X.

Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid alleged in a separate statement that Pakistan struck locations in Kabul, the southern province of Kandahar, as well as the eastern provinces of Paktia and Paktika.

Pakistani forces also reportedly hit a fuel depot near Kandahar Airport, Mujahid said on X.

The UN mission in Kabul said in a separate statement that it documented “at least four civilian deaths and 14 injured, including women and children, as a result of airstrikes in Pul-e-Charkhi area in Kabul Afghanistan last night.”

“We continue to call for an immediate cessation in hostilities to prevent further loss of civilian life,” UN Assistance Mission said on X.

'Militant' targets trigger retaliation

Separately, the Afghan Defense Ministry claimed to have retaliated against Pakistani airstrikes by targeting "strategic military centers and facilities" of the Pakistani army in the Kohat area of the country's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Kabul-based Tolo News reported.

According to Pakistani media, Pakistan conducted overnight airstrikes inside Afghanistan “targeting militant infrastructure linked to the Afghan Taliban and the militant group Fitna al-Khawarij.”

“Pakistani forces also successfully targeted military installations during the strikes, expanding the scope of the operation beyond militant hideouts,” according to Islamabad-based Geo TV, citing Pakistani security sources.

There has been no official confirmation from Pakistan yet.

With the fresh deaths reported in Afghanistan, the overall toll has risen to 99, including 13 soldiers and one civilian in Pakistan, and 13 soldiers and 72 civilians in Afghanistan.

According to UN data, 185 civilian casualties, including 56 deaths from indirect fire and aerial attacks, were reported in Afghanistan between Feb. 26 and March 5.

Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated in recent weeks, with border tensions escalating last month and resulting in casualties and property damage.

Pakistan, which maintains it only targets terrorists, accuses Afghanistan of providing a safe haven to militants who attack its territory, while Kabul denies the charge.

According to Pakistani Information Minister Tarar, Islamabad has killed 663 Afghan Taliban operatives and militants, while Kabul claims 55 Pakistani soldiers have been killed, figures that could not be independently verified.