Deadly Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan end month of calm

Pakistan has launched deadly new airstrikes on Afghanistan, ending a month of calm following what Islamabad previously described as “open war” between the neighbours that has defied international efforts to bring a lasting peace.

Afghanistan said the strikes on Wednesday hit the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika, and government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said 13 people were killed — 11 children, one woman and an older man — with 14 other civilians wounded.

Pakistan confirmed it carried out strikes, saying it targeted militant hideouts and infrastructure linked to recent attacks inside Pakistan and that 26 militants were killed.

The two sides often give widely differing casualty figures.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan since February, when Afghanistan attacked Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan.

Several rounds of internationally mediated peace talks have failed to produce a lasting truce.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harbouring militants who carry out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP.

The group is separate from, but allied with, the Afghan Taliban, which has ruled Afghanistan since it seized power in the country in 2021 amid the chaotic withdrawal of US-led troops.

Kabul denies the charge.