Pakistan Launches Fresh Airstrikes, Afghanistan Responds with Counterattack
Just hours after reaching a ceasefire agreement to de-escalate recent tensions, Pakistan launched fresh airstrikes in Afghanistan. According to Afghan news agency Khaama Press, the strikes took place late Friday night (October 17) in multiple areas of Paktika Province, killing at least six people and injuring seven others.
The report stated that following the Pakistani assault, Afghan forces retaliated, sparking renewed clashes between troops near the border areas.
According to Afghanistan's national radio and television, several civilians including women and children were killed in the attacks on Urgun and Barmal districts of Paktika. Local residents claimed that Pakistani drones dropped bombs on residential zones during the night.
Earlier, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had announced an indefinite ceasefire. However, analysts believe that lack of trust and long-standing border disputes between the two countries have triggered the renewed conflict.
