Afghanistan says nine killed in Pakistani air raids on Kunar, Helmand

Afghanistan says nine killed in Pakistani air raids on Kunar, Helmand No immediate comment from Pakistan as Kabul says all victims of the attacks were women and children. Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of launching air attacks on its Kunar and Helmand provinces, killing at least nine people and wounding 11. Pakistan’s Information Ministry said its strikes were against hideouts used by armed groups in two locations and that “initial reports suggest” that 22 fighters had been killed. Recommended Stories list of 4 items- list 1 of 4Why is violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan recurring? - list 2 of 4Afghanistan says 28 fighters killed as Islamabad, Kabul trade accusations - list 3 of 4Pakistan, Turkiye edge closer towards joining Saudi war against Houthis - list 4 of 4Suicide bombing in Pakistan’s Dera Ismail Khan kills at least 12 people The casualty claims from either side could not immediately be independently verified. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for Afghanistan’s government, said the strikes took place late on Wednesday and that the victims were all women and children. In a post on X, he said the attacks on northeastern Kunar and southern Helmand destroyed three houses. “We condemn this act and consider it an aggression and crime against all accepted principles,” he wrote. The alleged attacks come amid an escalation in fighting between the neighbouring countries after three months of relative calm. Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring armed groups who stage cross-border attacks on its territory. The Afghan government denies the charge and says the issue is Pakistan’s internal problem.