Pakistan: 22 “Terrorists” Killed; Taliban Says 9 Civilians Were Killed

DID Press: Pakistani airstrikes on residential areas in Afghanistan’s Helmand and Kunar provinces have once again highlighted conflicting accounts from Kabul and Islamabad over the targets and casualties. The Taliban says at least nine civilians, including women and children, were killed, while Pakistan says 22 members of militant groups were killed and that no civilians were targeted. Reuters and AP reported the conflicting casualty claims, noting that they could not be independently verified.

According to local sources and Taliban officials, Pakistani fighter jets targeted residential areas in Garmser district of Helmand and Shultan district of Kunar early Thursday. In Helmand, an attack on the Safar area left four people dead and six others wounded, while three children were reported missing. Meanwhile, five civilians were killed and three others wounded in an attack on the Chogan area of Shultan in Kunar. The Taliban says women and children were among the victims. Reuters reported the toll as nine killed and 11 wounded, but the figures could not be independently verified.

In contrast, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and media outlets presented an entirely different account, saying the strikes were carried out as part of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq and based on credible intelligence against hideouts of groups Islamabad refers to as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan. The ministry claimed that 22 “terrorists” were killed and large weapons and ammunition depots were destroyed. Islamabad also stressed that necessary measures had been taken to prevent civilian casualties.

As part of its security position, Pakistan identifies Afghanistan as the main source of terrorist threats against the country and says its military strikes target armed groups operating from Afghan territory against Pakistan. The Taliban rejects the allegation and considers Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid described the recent attacks as an “aggression and crime.”

The conflicting accounts come as the United Nations has previously warned of rising civilian casualties from clashes and cross-border attacks between Afghanistan and Pakistan.