On Tuesday night, Pakistan conducted an airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, targeting the Bermal district, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people, including women and children. Afghan officials have warned that the death toll may rise.
According to a report by Khaama Press, the airstrikes on December 24 targeted seven villages, including Laman. Five members of a single family were among the casualties.
Local sources claim that Pakistani fighter jets carried out the bombings, which completely destroyed Murgh Bazaar village in Bermal. Afghan media reports suggest that the airstrikes caused significant casualties and widespread destruction. Tensions have escalated in the region following the Pakistani airstrikes. Relief and rescue efforts are ongoing in the affected areas, with further investigations underway to determine responsibility for the attacks.
Taliban Vows Retaliation
The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense has vowed to retaliate against the Pakistani airstrikes in Bermal. In a statement, the Taliban emphasized Afghanistan’s right to defend its sovereignty and condemned the attack. The Ministry claimed that the Pakistani fighter jets targeted areas housing Waziristani refugees.
While Pakistani officials have not officially confirmed the airstrikes, sources close to the Pakistani military claim the attacks targeted Taliban hideouts near the border.
Waziristani Refugees Among the Targets
The incident comes amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In recent months, the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has increased attacks in Pakistan. Islamabad accuses the Afghan Taliban of harboring these militants in Afghanistan.
Taliban Defense Ministry spokesperson Inayatullah Khwarazmi denied Pakistan’s claims, stating on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the airstrikes killed innocent civilians, mostly Waziristani refugees, including children.
Death Toll Likely to Rise
Sources reported that at least 15 bodies, including those of women and children, were recovered from the attack sites. Relief operations are ongoing, and officials fear the death toll may rise.
Khaama Press noted that the Waziristani refugees are ethnic Afghans displaced during Pakistan’s military operations in tribal areas. However, Pakistan alleges that several TTP commanders and fighters have fled to Afghanistan, where they are reportedly sheltered by the Taliban in border provinces.
