Pakistan says 22 fighters killed in air attacks on Afghanistan

Pakistan has launched air attacks on Afghanistan, saying it targeted hideouts used by armed groups in two locations and killed at least 22 fighters.

The announcement by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information on Thursday came as Kabul accused Islamabad of killing at least nine women and children in attacks on its Kunar and Helmand provinces.

Al Jazeera could not independently verify the casualty claims.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for Afghanistan’s government, said the strikes took place late on Wednesday and that at least nine people were killed and 11 others wounded.

In a post on X, he said the attacks on northeastern Kunar and southern Helmand destroyed three houses.

“We condemn this act and consider it an aggression and crime against all accepted principles,” he wrote.

The alleged attacks come amid an escalation in fighting between the neighbouring countries after three months of relative calm. Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring armed groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, who stage cross-border attacks on its territory.

The Afghan government ‌denies the charge and says the Pakistani attacks have targeted civilian homes, killing and wounding women and children.