UPDATE 4 - Pakistan launches airstrikes on eastern, southeastern Afghanistan

Islamabad says forces struck 7 targets in response to recent suicide bombings in Pakistan; Afghanistan says 'dozens' of people, including women and children, were killed, vows 'appropriate' response

ADDS KABUL SUMMONS PAKISTAN ENVOY

By Fatma Zehra Solmaz, Sidrah Roghay and Ahmad Adil

ISTANBUL / KARACHI / NEW DELHI (AA) - Pakistani jets carried out airstrikes in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan early Sunday, targeting what Islamabad described as militant hideouts, while Afghan officials said civilians were killed and vowed retaliation.

On US social media company X, Pakistan’s Information Ministry said the cross-border strikes hit “seven terrorist camps and hideouts” belonging to the Pakistani Taliban and the ISIS Khorasan group.

The ministry said it had “conclusive evidence” that recent suicide bombings, including one in the capital Islamabad, were planned and launched from Afghan territory.

Pakistan’s State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry told local broadcaster Geo News that at least 70 “terrorists” were killed in the strikes, citing preliminary reports.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry said “an appropriate and measured response will be taken at a suitable time,” according to a statement posted on X.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kabul Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani, and handed him a protest note over the airstrikes.

Afghan broadcaster Tolo News reported that the airstrikes struck the Khogyani, Ghani Khel, and Behsud districts of the Nangarhar province, as well as the Barmal and Urgun districts in the Paktika province. Citing local sources, it said civilians were among those targeted.

Enayatullah Khwarazmi, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry, and government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid both said the strikes had killed and wounded dozens of women and children.

Pakistan has seen a surge in militant violence in recent years, much of it blamed on the Pakistani Taliban and outlawed Baloch separatist groups.

Islamabad accuses the Pakistani Taliban of operating from Afghanistan, a charge the Taliban-led government in Kabul has repeatedly denied.

Relations between the neighbors have been tense since deadly clashes last October. A ceasefire mediated by Qatar largely held, but subsequent talks in Istanbul failed to produce a formal agreement.

Pakistan also accuses India of facilitating terror attacks on its territory through the porous Afghan border, a charge New Delhi denies.

India's Foreign Ministry condemned Sunday's strikes on Afghanistan, claiming they “resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan.”

“India reiterates its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence," the ministry said in a statement.

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