Taliban Accuses Pakistan of Drone Strikes in Kabul Amid Truce

BREAKING NEWS: Afghanistan’s Taliban government has officially accused Pakistan of executing two drone strikes in Kabul on October 11, 2023. These strikes occurred just hours before an announced truce between the two nations, following a period of unprecedented violence that has left dozens dead and hundreds injured.

Khalid Zadran, spokesman for the Kabul police chief, confirmed the strikes targeted a civilian house and a bustling market in the capital. Preliminary reports indicate that at least five people were killed and over 346 individuals were injured, many suffering from shrapnel wounds and severe burns, according to medical sources at local hospitals.

The situation escalated rapidly on Wednesday afternoon, as initial reports from the Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, inaccurately suggested an oil tanker explosion. This confusion underscores the tension and chaos that have engulfed Kabul in recent days.

The United Nations has responded to the violence, urgently calling on both nations to achieve a “lasting end to hostilities” to protect civilians. This plea comes after a severe escalation of cross-border violence since October 10, the worst since the Taliban regained control in 2021. The UN reported that at least 17 civilians were killed and 346 injured in the southern areas of Spin Boldak on the Afghan side of the border due to recent clashes.

Officials from both countries have been locked in a cycle of retaliation, with each side blaming the other for armed provocations. On Thursday, as the ceasefire was announced, key border crossings remained closed, signaling ongoing tensions despite the truce.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan welcomed the ceasefire but remains vigilant, assessing the casualty figures. Reports indicate that previous clashes have led to significant civilian casualties across multiple Afghan provinces.

Pakistan has yet to release data regarding its own civilian casualties, but officials maintain that Afghanistan is harboring militants—a claim the Taliban vehemently denies. The border, known as the Durand Line, spans 2,611 kilometers (1,622 miles) and remains a contentious issue between the two nations.

As violence continues to threaten stability in the region, the international community watches closely, urging both Afghanistan and Pakistan to prioritize peace and civilian safety. The situation remains fluid, with potential for further developments as both governments navigate this precarious moment.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.