Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province kill at least 15
Pakistani Airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika Province Cause Civilian Casualties
On the night of December 24, a series of airstrikes by Pakistani jets targeted the Barmal district in Afghanistan's Paktika province. These attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people, including women and children, with the toll expected to rise. The strikes hit seven villages, including Laman, where five family members were killed. The Murg Bazaar village was also destroyed, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the area.
The Taliban's Ministry of Defence has condemned the attacks and vowed to retaliate, asserting their right to defend their land. They claimed that "Waziristani refugees" were among those killed. Pakistani officials have not confirmed the airstrikes, but sources suggest they targeted Taliban hideouts near the border.
This incident has heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Pakistan accusing the Afghan Taliban of sheltering Pakistani militants. The Taliban denies these claims, stating that civilians, mostly Waziristani refugees, were the victims of the airstrikes. The situation remains tense as investigations continue.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistani Airstrikes
Airstrikes are attacks where military planes drop bombs on specific targets. In this case, it means that Pakistan used its military planes to attack areas in Afghanistan.
Paktika Province
Paktika is a province in Afghanistan, which is a country located to the northwest of India. Provinces are like states in India, and Paktika is one of them.
Civilian Casualties
Civilian casualties refer to people who are not soldiers or fighters getting hurt or killed during a conflict. In this situation, it means ordinary people, including women and children, were harmed.
Taliban
The Taliban is a group in Afghanistan that has been involved in fighting and controlling parts of the country. They have their own government and military forces.
Ministry of Defence
A Ministry of Defence is a part of the government responsible for managing a country's military. In this case, it refers to the Taliban's government department that deals with military matters.
Waziristani refugees
Waziristan is a region in Pakistan, and refugees are people who have left their homes to escape danger. Waziristani refugees are people from Waziristan who have moved to Afghanistan to find safety.
Retaliation
Retaliation means to fight back or respond to an attack. The Taliban's Ministry of Defence said they would retaliate, meaning they plan to respond to the airstrikes.
Regional tensions
Regional tensions refer to conflicts or disagreements between neighboring countries or areas. In this case, it means that the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is becoming more strained or difficult.
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