Pakistan Claims 70 Killed in Afghanistan Strikes as Taliban Say Civilians Hit

DID Press: Talal Chaudhry, Pakistan’s deputy interior minister, said nearly 70 people were killed in recent Pakistani strikes on what Islamabad described as “terrorist positions” inside Afghanistan.

In comments to Geo News, Chaudhry claimed that available evidence indicates most of those killed were Pakistani nationals present at the targeted sites.

The Taliban’s caretaker administration rejected the claim, saying Pakistan’s strikes in Nangarhar Province and Paktia Province hit civilian areas. Taliban officials said 18 civilians were killed and five wounded in Nangarhar alone.

Pakistan said the operation was based on intelligence and targeted seven camps and hideouts linked to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State Khorasan Province. Islamabad framed the strikes as retaliation for recent suicide attacks inside Pakistan.

Chaudhry accused Afghanistan of “exporting terrorism for years” and said Pakistan would take “all necessary measures” to protect its citizens. The developments come amid mounting tensions between Kabul and Islamabad following a surge in security incidents and mutual accusations in recent months.