Afghanistan condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on its territory after Kabul said nine civilians were killed and 11 others were injured in attacks targeting the provinces of Helmand and Kunar.

Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate said women and children were among those killed in the strikes carried out by Pakistan. The statement added that three homes were destroyed during the attacks.

Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid shared images of children who were reportedly killed and injured in the attacks on social media, describing the strikes as an act of aggression.

"We condemn this action as an act of aggression and a crime contrary to all accepted principles," Mujahid said.

Pakistan says it targeted armed groups

Pakistan said it carried out "planned and deliberate" airstrikes against what it described as militant hideouts and camps inside Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s Information Ministry said on the social media platform X that, based on "credible intelligence information", precise and targeted operations were conducted against terrorist camps and hideouts in two locations inside Afghanistan.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghan authorities of allowing armed groups, particularly the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), to use Afghan territory to plan and carry out attacks inside Pakistan.

Tensions have deepened over border disputes

The dispute between the two countries is rooted in long-standing tensions over the Durand Line, the border separating Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Relations deteriorated further after Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan in October 2025, followed by retaliatory attacks from Afghanistan. Clashes intensified again in February 2026.

After nearly three months of relative calm, tensions rose again on September 24 when Islamabad launched airstrikes that it said targeted locations linked to drone attacks.

Kabul said four civilians were killed in those strikes, which were followed by border clashes and further military escalation, culminating in the latest attacks on Helmand and Kunar provinces.(ILKHA)