At Least 70 Fighters Killed in Strikes Along Afghan Border

Pakistani Government Officials Claim Air Raids Targeted Armed Groups Along Afghan Border

A senior Pakistani government official has made claims that at least 70 fighters were killed in air raids along the border with Afghanistan on Sunday. The claim was made by Talal Chaudhry, Pakistan’s deputy interior minister, during an interview with Geo News. However, Kabul has denied these allegations.

According to reports, the air raids targeted “camps and hideouts” belonging to armed groups behind a spate of recent attacks in Pakistan. The Pakistani military carried out the operation early on Sunday, targeting what it called “camps and hideouts” belonging to the Pakistan Taliban group and its affiliates.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that the military conducted “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps belonging to the TTP and its affiliates. President Asif Ali Zardari also commented on the situation, stating that Pakistan’s recent attacks along the Afghan border were “rooted in [its] inherent right to defend its people against terrorism”.

Afghanistan has rejected Pakistani allegations that its territory is used by armed groups linked to attacks in Pakistan. The Afghan Ministry of Defence stated that various civilian areas in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika were hit, including a religious school and several homes.

The Taliban government spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, condemned the attack, stating that “people’s homes have been destroyed” and civilians had been targeted. Residents from the remote Bihsud district in Nangarhar joined searchers to look for bodies under the rubble using shovels and a digger.

The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul to protest against the attacks, warning that Pakistan would be held responsible for the consequences of such actions.

Source: Al Jazeera