Pakistani airstrikes overnight on Monday targeted villages in the Afghan provinces of Paktika, Paktia, and Kunar, killing at least 36 civilians and wounding 163 others, according to the Afghan government. Most victims were women and children.

Bismillah Khan, a man in his 50s who returned from working in the Gulf for 12 years, lost his wife and daughter in the attack. His two-story house, built with life savings, was destroyed. About 10 relatives were wounded.

A second airstrike hit during rescue efforts, causing additional casualties. Residents said missiles landed near groups of civilians searching for survivors. “We were carrying the injured to vehicles when we heard the aircraft again,” said resident Marzia Khan Wali.

Pakistan claimed its forces conducted “precise targeting” against armed groups, killing 29 fighters. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the counterterrorism campaign would “continue at full pace.”

The Afghan government condemned the strikes as “a blatant violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty” and “an attack on innocent civilians.” The Taliban-run government said it remains committed to the 2020 Doha Agreement.

In Paktika province, mother of five Zarmina lost her husband and young daughter. “We were asleep when the bombs fell. There was no warning. When I opened my eyes, everything was gone,” she said.

In Kunar province, dozens of families have fled border villages. Tribal elder Mera Khan said residents “live between two fears: the fear of war and the fear of losing their homes.”

The strikes come amid rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of harboring the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which has increased attacks in Pakistan. Khan, now seeking shelter for his surviving family, said: “I left my homeland for years in search of a better future. I came back hoping to live in peace, but war arrived before I did.”

Source: www.aljazeera.com