Pakistani Airstrikes in Eastern Afghanistan Kill at Least 36 Civilians

Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of killing at least 36 civilians in airstrikes in the country’s east. More than 160 others were wounded. According to Taliban government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, the strikes were carried out overnight into Sunday in three border provinces—Paktika, Paktia and Kunar.

Islamabad claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistani government spokesman Attaullah Tarar said at least 32 militants were killed in the operation and that the airstrikes were preceded by a ground operation.

The armies of the two countries have been fighting for several months, mainly along their shared border of about 2,600 kilometers. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of sheltering armed groups that have killed thousands of Pakistani security personnel in recent years. Kabul rejects these accusations. Attempts to reduce tensions through diplomacy, including with Chinese mediation, have so far produced no results.

Sunday’s strikes came in response to an attack on Pakistani paramilitary security personnel. On Saturday, attackers detonated explosives and then opened fire on a rangers’ camp in Karachi. Three personnel were killed and four were wounded. A faction linked to Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility.

A senior health official in Paktia, Meraj Gul Adel, said more than 130 people were wounded in that province alone. According to local residents and medics, two airstrikes hit the same building about 10 minutes apart.

Most of the casualties in the months-long conflict have been in Afghanistan. Government-level talks in the Chinese city of Urumqi in April did not lead to a ceasefire. Earlier this month, about a dozen former ambassadors and unofficial representatives of both countries met in Istanbul—they prepared a peace proposal calling for the disarmament of some armed groups, including the Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State—Khorasan, as well as the resumption of cross-border trade.