Pakistan carries out airstrikes in Afghanistan’s provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar, with Kabul saying the attacks kill nine civilians. ABC News and The Independent report the figures attributed by the Afghan side, while Pakistan says its strikes target militant hideouts.
Pakistan states that only militants are hit, disputing Kabul’s civilian casualty claims. The accounts are aligned on the main premise of cross-border strikes and the claimed areas affected, but they diverge on responsibility and the toll. The conflict centers on whether the strikes result in civilian deaths or are limited to combatant targets, according to the respective governments.
The reporting reflects the broader context of tensions between the two neighboring countries and Afghanistan’s ongoing efforts to track and respond to foreign military action within its borders. While the outlets agree on the existence of airstrikes and the locations, the difference lies in the narrative of impact—Kabul citing civilian deaths and Pakistan presenting a narrower, militant-focused target assessment.
