Afghan Government Says Pakistan Airstrikes on Aba Border Area

Xinhua News Agency, Kabul, February 22 (Reporter Li Ang) Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on the 22nd that the Pakistani military has once again conducted airstrikes in the border area with Afghanistan, resulting in 18 deaths and 5 injuries.

Mujahid posted on social media that the Pakistani military bombed civilians in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, causing the deaths of 18 people, including women and children.

The Afghan Ministry of Defense issued a statement on the same day strongly condemning Pakistan, stating that the targets of the attack were Afghan civilian sites and religious places. The statement said that this incident is not only a blatant violation of Afghan territory but also a clear violation of international law and the principles of good neighborliness. The Afghan side will respond appropriately and after careful consideration at the right time.

The Pakistani Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated on social media on the 22nd that the Pakistani military has launched airstrikes on seven terrorist camps and hideouts in the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The statement indicated that this action was taken in light of a series of recent suicide bombings in Pakistan, including the Islamabad mosque explosion and explosions in Bajaur and Bannu regions. The "Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan" and its affiliated groups, as well as the "Islamic State Khorasan Province," claimed responsibility for the related attacks.

Since October of last year, there have been multiple exchanges of fire in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan. On October 19 of last year, under the mediation of Qatar and Turkey, both sides agreed to a ceasefire, and subsequently held several rounds of talks in Doha, Istanbul, and Riyadh to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire, but no results were achieved.