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News Topical, Digital Desk : Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated again. Pakistan claimed on Sunday that its army had attacked several military installations and terrorist hideouts in southern Afghanistan.
According to Pakistani security sources, the strikes targeted and destroyed a technical support infrastructure and weapons storage facility in Kandahar, the Afghan city believed to be the administrative headquarters of Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Tunnel was also targeted in Kandahar
According to reports, a separate attack targeted a tunnel in Kandahar. Pakistan claims that this tunnel was used by both the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has been blamed for several recent attacks inside Pakistan.
Locals in Kandahar reported seeing military aircraft flying over the city late at night, followed by loud explosions. A local resident said the aircraft were hovering over a military base near a mountain before an explosion occurred, followed by flames. People also reported hearing airstrikes in the border town of Spin Boldak, southeast of Kandahar.
Taliban statement
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attacks caused limited damage to civilian targets. He added that the locations claimed to have been targeted were far from the areas reported. However, he also acknowledged that a drug rehabilitation center and an empty container in Kandahar were damaged.
The attacks came a day after Pakistan said it had thwarted drone strikes originating from Afghanistan. Pakistani officials said attempts were made to target at least three locations on Friday night, including the Rawalpindi military headquarters, located near the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
Pakistan's warning
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's office said the Afghan Taliban had crossed a "red line" by targeting civilians and would respond.
Last month, Pakistan launched a military operation against Afghanistan, which it says is targeting Islamist militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil.
However, the Taliban government in Kabul denies these allegations and says that Afghan soil is not being used for cross-border terrorism.
Growing conflict on the border
In recent weeks, there have been several clashes along the border between the two countries. These clashes have forced residents living near the border to flee their homes and disrupted trade. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, at least 75 civilians have been killed and 193 injured in these clashes since February 26.
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