Taliban Official Says Pakistan Airstrike Killed 13 Civilians in Nangarhar, Denies Targeting Militants
Hamdullah Fetrat, Deputy Spokesperson for the Taliban administration, stated that in the recent Pakistani airstrike on parts of Nangarhar province, 13 people were killed, most of whom were women and children. He emphasized that the victims were civilians and, contrary to Islamabad’s claims, the attack did not target “terrorists.” On Sunday, February 21, Fetrat wrote on his X page that body parts of the victims were collected at the scene and no intact bodies remained.
According to Fetrat, Pakistan had earlier claimed the attack targeted positions of armed groups; however, he insisted the victims were “ordinary people.” Referring to the remains, he added: “These are the same terrorists that the Pakistani military regime claimed yesterday they attacked.”
These remarks come as Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s former representative to Afghanistan, stated that airstrikes against hideouts of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and ISIS sent a clear and calculated message to the Afghan Taliban.
Tensions between the Taliban administration and Pakistan have increased in recent months. Islamabad has repeatedly accused members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan of being present on Afghan soil, a claim the Taliban have denied. However, the lack of transparency and independent access to the targeted areas has complicated impartial investigation of both sides’ claims and raised concerns about the safety of civilians.
