Six Civilians, Including Women and Children, Killed in Pakistani Military Strike on Afghanistan’s Kandahar

Kabul – At least six civilians, including women and children, were killed and five others injured after Pakistani military forces reportedly shelled three residential homes in Spin Boldak district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province, local media reported on Saturday.

The cross-border attack occurred amid the third round of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul, which ended in a deadlock with no progress on security and counterterrorism cooperation.

Speaking to TOLO News, local resident Hayatullah, who lost his mother and saw his daughter injured in the assault, recounted: “Two or three mortar shells hit our home. My mother was martyred, and this child was injured in the arm.”

Another resident, Abdul Manan, said two artillery shells struck his home, killing his young son and grandson and injuring two other family members. “It’s very painful. No one can understand what we are going through,” he told reporters.

In addition to residential areas, a commercial centre in Spin Boldak was also hit, inflicting heavy damage on local shops and property. Residents condemned the strikes as clear violations of international law, accusing Pakistan of repeatedly targeting civilian infrastructure.

“These are acts of aggression against us. Civilian and commercial infrastructure must not be targeted,” an eyewitness named Najibullah told TOLO News.

Local Afghan officials said Pakistan violated the ceasefire and attacked without provocation, while forces of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban government) have refrained from retaliating.

“They always violate the ceasefire, while the Islamic Emirate’s forces have remained committed and have not broken the truce,” said Ali Mohammad Haqmal, Head of Information and Culture in Spin Boldak.

Meanwhile, reports from Khaama Press confirmed that the Istanbul peace talks were intended to create a joint framework for cross-border security and counterterrorism, but discussions collapsed without an agreement.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif acknowledged on Friday that the negotiations had been suspended following a deadlock, with no immediate plans to resume them.

With inputs from IANS