Pakistan carried out fresh airstrikes on several areas of Afghanistan early Thursday, further escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries and prompting renewed condemnation from the Islamic Emirate over violations of Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

According to Afghan local sources, Pakistani military aircraft struck several areas of Khost province at around 3:30 a.m., targeting locations in Garbaz district, including the Gulan camp, as well as parts of Ismail Khel and Mandozai districts.

Mustaghfir Gurbaz, spokesman for the Khost governor, confirmed the attacks and said there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The latest strikes came only two days after Pakistani aircraft reportedly carried out attacks in Paktika and Kunar provinces, killing three people and wounding four others, including women and children.

The attacks have renewed concerns among Afghan communities in border provinces, where residents have repeatedly faced the consequences of cross-border military operations.

The Islamic Emirate strongly condemned the latest Pakistani attacks, describing them as an unacceptable violation of Afghanistan's territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

Afghan authorities have called for a thorough investigation and documentation of the strikes, while stressing that disputes between the two countries should be addressed through dialogue rather than military action against Afghan territory.

Kabul has repeatedly rejected Islamabad's allegations that armed groups operating from Afghan territory are responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Afghan officials have maintained that Afghanistan does not allow its territory to be used against neighboring countries.

The Islamic Emirate has also called on Pakistan to respect Afghanistan's sovereignty and resolve security concerns through diplomatic channels.

The latest escalation follows deadly strikes in Kunar and Paktika that Afghan authorities said affected civilian areas.

According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), an apparent airstrike in Kunar on September 21 killed three civilians — a man, a woman and a girl — and wounded four others. Afghan officials said the victims were members of the same family.

Pakistan has said its military operations target militant groups allegedly based in Afghanistan. However, Afghan authorities have repeatedly disputed Islamabad's justification for attacks and condemned military operations that put civilians at risk.

Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated sharply in recent months, with clashes and airspace violations becoming increasingly frequent along the two countries' long and mountainous border.

Afghan officials argue that repeated Pakistani military operations undermine regional stability and violate Afghanistan's territorial sovereignty. Islamabad, meanwhile, continues to accuse the Islamic Emirate of failing to prevent anti-Pakistan militants from operating from Afghan soil.

The Islamic Emirate has urged Pakistan to abandon a policy of military pressure and cross-border aggression, emphasizing that Afghanistan seeks peaceful relations with its neighbors while retaining its right to defend its territory.

For communities in Khost, Kunar, Paktika and other border provinces, the latest attacks have once again raised fears that the worsening dispute between Kabul and Islamabad could bring further violence and displacement to civilians living along the frontier. (ILKHA)