Taliban Reports 12 Civilians Killed, Over 100 Injured in Pakistani Military Strike on Afghanistan

Kabul — At least 12 civilians were killed and more than 100 others injured in a Pakistani military strike on Spin Boldak district in southern Kandahar province on Wednesday, the Taliban reported.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X that Pakistani forces launched the early morning attack using light and heavy weapons. Afghan forces retaliated, resulting in multiple Pakistani casualties, captured posts, and seized weapons, according to Mujahid, as reported by Afghanistan’s Khaama Press.

“Unfortunately, Pakistani forces once again attacked Spin Boldak district, killing over 12 civilians and injuring more than 100. Afghan forces were forced to retaliate. In these operations, multiple Pakistani aggressor soldiers were killed, their posts and centres captured, and military installations destroyed. The mujahideen remain ready to defend their homeland,” Mujahid stated.

Clashes reportedly lasted from around 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. local time. Medical sources in Kandahar said at least 25 bodies and over 80 injured were admitted to hospitals, including women and children from nearby residential areas.

The incident comes amid rising border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, following recent clashes and airstrikes. Mujahid earlier claimed that Afghan forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers and wounded 30 during a retaliatory operation along the Durand Line last weekend, destroying 20 Pakistani security outposts. Nine Afghan soldiers were reportedly killed and 16 others wounded in that operation, which was paused at midnight following requests from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Mujahid also alleged that after ISIS-K’s defeat in Afghanistan, the group has been establishing bases in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, orchestrating attacks from there. He urged the Pakistani government to hand over key ISIS-K members to Kabul.

With inputs from IANS