Pakistan Airstrikes Kill Civilians in Afghanistan; Kabul Launches Retaliatory Drone Strikes

Kabul, March 14: Pakistan carried out fresh airstrikes in Afghanistan this week, killing several civilians and escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries, according to Afghan officials and United Nations reports. The strikes hit multiple locations including Kabul and Kandahar, triggering retaliatory drone attacks by Afghanistan on Pakistani military targets.

Afghan authorities said at least four civilians were killed and more than a dozen injured after Pakistani aircraft struck residential areas in Kabul’s Pul-e-Charkhi district. Women and children were among the casualties, and several homes were damaged in the attack.

The airstrikes also hit infrastructure near Kandahar International Airport, including a fuel depot belonging to the private airline Kam Air that supplies fuel to civilian and United Nations aircraft. Afghan officials condemned the strikes as a violation of their sovereignty and accused Pakistan of targeting civilian facilities.

Pakistan, however, denied targeting civilians and said the operation was aimed at militant hideouts linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other armed groups allegedly operating from Afghan territory. Islamabad described the strikes as “intelligence-based operations” meant to neutralize cross-border threats.

Within hours of the air raids, Afghanistan responded with drone strikes targeting Pakistani military installations in the Kohat region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Afghan officials claimed the attack damaged the Kohat Military Fort, which they described as a key command centre near the disputed Durand Line border.

The exchange of strikes marks one of the most serious escalations between the two countries in recent years. Tensions have been rising since late February after Pakistan accused Afghan-based militants of carrying out deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul has repeatedly denied the allegations, saying Islamabad is using them to justify cross-border military action.

The international community has urged both sides to show restraint. China and the United Nations have called for dialogue to prevent further escalation, warning that continued military confrontation could destabilize the already fragile region.