19 Family Members Killed, Madrassa Hit: Pakistan Launches Airstrikes in Afghanistan

Afghanistan: From Saturday night to Sunday morning, the Pak Army bombed many places in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces of eastern Afghanistan. According to Afghan sources, the attacks took place in Khogyani, Ghani Kheel, Behsud districts of Nangarhar. A drone attack took place on a madrassa in Paktika's Barmal district, and strikes were also reported in Urgun and Argun districts. Pakistan said these were precision operations based on intelligence—a total of seven locations were targeted.

What is Pakistan's claim?

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and the Ministry of Information posted on Twitter that the attacks were on camps and hideouts of TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan), its affiliate groups and ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan). This is the answer to the three major attacks that took place in Pakistan after the start of Ramadan –

• Suicide bombing on Shia mosque in Islamabad (31 dead, 160 injured)
• Suicide attacks also took place in Bajaur and Bannu, in which soldiers were killed.

Pakistan is saying that these groups are operating from Afghan soil, hence necessary steps were taken.

How many deaths occurred in Afghanistan and whose deaths?

The Afghan Taliban and local sources say dozens of people were killed and injured in the attacks, including women and children. The most heartbreaking incident was ​​an attack on a house in Behsud district of Nangarhar, where 19 people of the same family were killed. The family ranged from an 80-year-old man to a 1-year-old child – a total of 21 people, with 2 injured survivors (one named Riyazullah, 20). Nangarhar Police said that 23 people were buried under the debris, only 4 were rescued, and rescue is going on. The madrasa in Barmal, Paktika was also destroyed – the building reduced to rubble. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Bombs were dropped on our civilian brothers; dozens were martyred and injured."

What is the reaction of Afghan Taliban?

The Taliban flatly denied Pakistan's allegations – saying they do not allow any group to use their territory against a neighboring country. But they warned sternly after the attacks, "There will be revenge very soon." Anger has spread over reports of civilian deaths in Afghanistan.

What will happen next?

Relations between the two countries were already bad – border skirmishes, trade closed, transit routes closed. Now airstrikes and civilian deaths across the border have added fuel to the fire. Pakistan is saying that it will take whatever steps are necessary for security. But Afghanistan is considering it as “oppression of civilians." If talks do not work out, the situation may worsen – people on both sides are in fear. This situation is very delicate, let's see what happens.