At least 13 people, including 11 children, were killed after Pakistani airstrikes targeted three provinces in Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to the Afghan Taliban government. The strikes mark a fresh escalation in tensions between the neighbouring countries and come amid a conflict that has already claimed hundreds of lives this year.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the attacks hit the provinces of Kunar, Khost and Paktika. He stated that the strikes violated Afghanistan’s airspace and targeted civilian homes. According to Taliban officials, 14 other people, including women and children, were injured in the attacks.

Pakistan, however, said the operation was aimed at militants operating along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The country described the action as "calibrated strikes" carried out in response to a recent rise in militant attacks in its northwestern regions.

"Based on ⁠credible intelligence, selective targeting of camps and hideouts was carried out with precision and accuracy," Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on X. "Four targets were completely destroyed, including a training centre, a hideout and an ammunition cache."

Pakistani authorities said the strikes killed 26 militants. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban-led government in Kabul of providing shelter to militant groups that plan attacks inside Pakistan. According to data from Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), militant attacks in Pakistan have increased fourfold since 2022, the year the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan.

The Taliban government has consistently rejected these allegations. Afghan officials maintain that the growing militancy in Pakistan is an internal issue and not linked to Afghanistan.

The latest violence threatens to undermine efforts made in recent months to reduce tensions between the two countries. Islamabad and Kabul fought their most serious border clashes in years in February. After that, both sides began dialogue in March to improve relations. China also attempted to mediate and help ease tensions between the neighbours.

Although large-scale fighting has reduced since then, occasional clashes have continued along the 2,600-kilometre border shared by the two countries. The recent airstrikes have once again raised concerns about instability in the region.

Haji Ali Khan, a tribal elder from Khost province, said one of the strikes hit the home of a shepherd shortly after midnight in the Spera district. According to him, 10 members of the family, including women and children, were killed in the attack.

"The family whose house was bombed are local villagers. They have ⁠no connection with the TTP, nor do they even know them," he said, referring to the Pakistani Taliban.

Growing anger has been reported among residents in the affected areas. Many people are demanding stronger protection from authorities and fear further attacks in the future.

"People are demanding that the authorities either provide security for this area or, if they cannot ⁠do so, allow the people to defend themselves ... Either we will all sacrifice ourselves, or we will take revenge by ourselves."