Feb 22 • 23:16 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia ABC News AU

Taliban vows retaliation over Pakistan strikes that 'killed children'

The Taliban has announced plans for retaliation following reported Pakistani air strikes that allegedly resulted in civilian casualties, including children.

The ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated after Pakistan's military conducted air strikes in Afghan territory, claiming to have killed at least 70 militants. However, the Taliban government in Afghanistan contests these claims, asserting that the strikes resulted in the tragic deaths of civilians, including women and children, and not militants as Pakistan stated. This controversy raises significant concerns regarding the accuracy of military claims in conflict zones and the resulting humanitarian implications for the affected civilian population.

The Taliban has stated it will respond decisively to these air strikes, indicating a potential escalation in hostilities along the border. Following the incident, Afghans gathered for the burial of the victims in a mass grave, underscoring the pain and suffering inflicted by the military action. The backdrop to this incident includes previous clashes at the border, which have claimed numerous lives and heightened animosities between the two nations. The air strikes are reported to be the most severe in recent months, compounding an already tense situation.

Pakistan's military justified the strikes as a necessary response to ongoing threats from militant groups operating within Afghanistan, especially in light of recent suicide bombings that targeted Pakistan. This situation underlines the complexities of cross-border military actions in a volatile region and the intricate challenge of addressing security concerns while preventing civilian casualties. The forthcoming response from the Taliban will be closely watched, as it could potentially lead to further conflict, impacting regional stability.

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