Kabul, Oct 17 (EFE) – The authorities of the Taliban de facto government in the Afghan province of Paktika denounced Friday that, despite the ceasefire, the Pakistani army launched aerial bombings against civilian areas Barmal and Urgon, southeastern Afghanistan, near the Durand Line.
«Yes, tonight the Pakistani military regime carried out shelling on civilian houses in Barmal and Urgon districts,» Paktika’s Director of Information and Culture Mohammad Amin Huzaifa told EFE.
The official did not immediately provide a casualty toll, but said the attacks hit residential areas close to the border.
Pakistani authorities have not commented on the allegations.
The bombings come hours after the extension of the 48-hour ceasefire agreed on Wednesday between Afghanistan and Pakistan and extended Friday until the conclusion of negotiations scheduled for Saturday in Doha, Afghan channel TOLOnews reported, citing sources in Qatar.
The spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Friday that Afghanistan «will defend its territory with dignity if it is attacked,» and stressed that the country «was never the aggressor» in the face of what he described as airspace violations by Pakistan.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported Friday that earlier fighting left at least 37 civilians dead and 425 wounded, and urged both sides to «bring a lasting end to hostilities» and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.
At the center of the dispute between both countries remains Islamabad’s long-standing accusation that Kabul offers a safe haven to the TTP, which seeks to overthrow the Pakistani state and has stepped up its attacks from Afghanistan after the Taliban came to power in 2021. EFE
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