Overview
- Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says Pakistani forces bombed a home in Khost, killing nine children and a woman, with additional strikes reported in Kunar and Paktika.
- Provincial officials in Khost reported the use of drones and aircraft, and AFP journalists documented rubble clearing and graves being prepared near the border.
- Pakistan’s military initially declined comment to AFP, then a senior officer on state TV rejected Kabul’s claims as baseless and said the army does not target civilians.
- Kabul has vowed to respond “appropriately” and “in due time,” describing the raids as a breach of a tenuous cease-fire negotiated after deadly October clashes.
- Islamabad has asserted that recent attackers were Afghan nationals and claims evidence of coordination between Afghan and Pakistani Taliban factions, while the border remains closed since October 12, stalling trade.