Taliban government accuses Pakistan of carrying out air strikes, 8 reported killed; Afghanistan says it has hit back

The Taliban government of Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of carrying out air strikes. The Taliban says that at least eight people have lost their lives in these attacks. Women and children areamong the dead. Afghanistan said it has hit back after the airstrikes.

A Taliban spokesman said the planes had bombed homes of civilians living in Khost and Paktika provinces near the border with Pakistan.

According to Afghan news channel Tolo News, after the air strikes, clashes have also taken place between Taliban and Pakistani forces in the border areas. There is also information that three Pakistani soldiers were injured during the firing.

Taliban's security forces reportedly engaged in heavy weaponry exchange with the Pakistani military.

This escalation of tensions arises amidst a blame game between the neighboring nations regarding a series of militant attacks in Pakistan. Pakistan asserts that these assaults originated from Afghan soil, a claim vehemently denied by the Taliban administration in Afghanistan.

Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban administration, emphasized their commitment to preventing any compromise on Afghan territory's security. According to Mujahid, the airstrikes occurred in the eastern border provinces of Khost and Paktika, claiming innocent lives.

Furthermore, the Taliban's defense ministry issued a statement declaring their targeting of Pakistani troops along the border in response to the alleged airstrikes.

Pakistani military post was attacked by unidentified militants

Pakistan's army and foreign office have yet to provide a formal response to these allegations. The airstrikes follow a recent attack on a Pakistani military post by unidentified militants, resulting in the deaths of seven security personnel.  Pakistan had warned of retaliatory action.

While the motive behind this attack remains unclear, Pakistani authorities attribute such incidents to a surge in militant activity, often attributed to groups like the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) operating from Afghan territory.

Pakistan had alleged that extremist groups living in Afghanistan were attacking its security forces. Afghanistan has been denying these allegations.