Nine Killed in Pakistani Airstrikes on Kunar, Helmand, Afghan Government Says

Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's Kunar and Helmand provinces killed nine people and injured 11 others on Thursday, according to the Afghan government. The strikes reportedly hit residential areas and destroyed three houses.
Afghan government chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the casualties in a statement shared on X. He said the victims included women and children and condemned the attacks as an act of aggression.
“We condemn this act as an aggression and crime in violation of all accepted principles,” Mujahid said.
The reported strikes come amid renewed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with cross-border military actions and allegations between the two countries escalating in recent months.
Three Houses Destroyed in Kunar and Helmand
According to the Afghan government, the strikes targeted residential areas in Kunar and Helmand provinces and destroyed three houses.
The casualty figures reported by Kabul differ from figures released by other sources. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it had confirmed at least 10 civilian deaths, most of them children, and nine injuries following airstrikes in Kunar and Helmand.
The United Nations said civilians continued to be affected by cross-border hostilities and called for de-escalation, dialogue, respect for international law and measures to prevent further civilian harm.
Pakistan Says Militants Were Targeted
Pakistan has maintained a different account of the strikes. Its Ministry of Information said the military operation targeted militant hideouts at two locations and that initial reports indicated 22 militants had been killed.
The casualty claims made by the two sides could not be independently verified. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Afghan authorities of allowing militant groups, including the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to operate from Afghan territory. Kabul has rejected those allegations.
The latest strikes come after a period of relative calm between the two neighbouring countries and amid continuing disputes over militancy and cross-border attacks.
UN Reports More Than 1,100 Civilian Casualties
The latest incident adds to a broader pattern of civilian casualties linked to cross-border violence in Afghanistan.
UNAMA said that, so far in 2026, it has documented more than 1,100 civilian deaths and injuries resulting from cross-border armed violence. The UN mission has repeatedly urged both sides to prevent further civilian harm and comply with international humanitarian law.
Earlier this year, UNAMA also documented significant civilian casualties during cross-border clashes, including deaths and injuries caused by aerial attacks and indirect fire.
Tensions Continue Between Islamabad and Kabul
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained over accusations of militant activity and cross-border attacks.
Islamabad has accused Kabul of providing space to armed groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. The Afghan authorities have denied the allegations and maintained that militancy inside Pakistan is an internal matter.
The latest airstrikes and conflicting accounts of the casualties are expected to add to tensions between the two countries, while the United Nations continues to call for dialogue and de-escalation.