An Afghan Taliban official claimed on Wednesday that Pakistan’s airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of 46 people, mostly women and children, escalating tensions between the two countries.
The day before, a Pakistani security official, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, stated that Tuesday’s operation aimed to destroy training facilities in Paktika province, Afghanistan, and eliminate insurgents.
On Wednesday, the Pakistani military stated that security forces killed 13 insurgents in an intelligence operation in the South Waziristan region, bordering Paktika province.
Meanwhile, according to reports from local residents obtained by the Associated Press, the attack resulted in at least 13 fatalities, with the injured being taken to local hospitals.
According to a report from Politico, Afghan government deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat stated that the four targeted locations in Barmal district of Paktika province had resulted in multiple refugee casualties, with six individuals sustaining injuries.
Earlier Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Pakistani Taliban, Mohammad Khurasani, claimed in a statement that 50 people had died in the attack, including 27 women and children.
The TTP, which is allied with the Afghan Taliban, operates as a separate organization.
Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan remain high. Pakistan has accused the TTP, responsible for numerous attacks in its territory, of operating from Afghan soil, a claim denied by the Afghan Taliban.
According to Reuters, the Afghan Taliban has stated that they will retaliate against neighboring countries.