Four civilians killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan
News Source
β’Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:51:30 +0000
π° What Happened
Four civilians were killed in the latest Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan, according to Taliban officials. Islamabad said its planes hit 10 locations used by Kabul to launch drone attacks a day earlier.
Taliban officials denied launching any drones against Pakistan on Wednesday. The two sides are telling very different stories, and this was the second wave of Pakistani strikes on Afghan soil in a week.
π The Backstory
The strikes came after a deadly attack on a police compound in north-west Pakistan on 18 September. At least 31 people were killed there, and a group linked to the Pakistani Taliban claimed it.
Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan's Taliban government of sheltering militants. Kabul denies this and says militancy inside Pakistan is Pakistan's own problem.
The two neighbours agreed a ceasefire in March, but it has not held. A UN mission says cross-border fighting killed at least 499 civilians between October 2025 and June 2026.
π― Why It Matters
The strikes show how quickly this border can slide back into war. Ordinary families on both sides would suffer most if the fighting grows into a wider conflict.
Four civilians were killed in the latest Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan, according to Taliban officials. Islamabad said its planes hit 10 locations used by Kabul to launch drone attacks a day earlier.
Taliban officials denied launching any drones against Pakistan on Wednesday. The two sides are telling very different stories, and this was the second wave of Pakistani strikes on Afghan soil in a week.
The strikes came after a deadly attack on a police compound in north-west Pakistan on 18 September. At least 31 people were killed there, and a group linked to the Pakistani Taliban claimed it.
Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan's Taliban government of sheltering militants. Kabul denies this and says militancy inside Pakistan is Pakistan's own problem.
The two neighbours agreed a ceasefire in March, but it has not held. A UN mission says cross-border fighting killed at least 499 civilians between October 2025 and June 2026.
The strikes show how quickly this border can slide back into war. Ordinary families on both sides would suffer most if the fighting grows into a wider conflict.