Afghan civilians reported killed in Pakistani strikes

Pakistani overnight strikes in Afghanistan killed at least 36 civilians and wounded 163 others, Al Jazeera reported. The attack has drawn attention because Islamabad said it was striking Taliban-allied fighters in response to recent attacks by armed groups inside Pakistan.

Al Jazeera reported that Afghan villagers inspected damaged and destroyed homes after the strikes. The broadcaster said the attacks hit villages and caused civilian casualties among residents.

Pakistan says fighters were the target

Islamabad said it killed 29 fighters in what it described as “precision strikes,” according to Al Jazeera. Pakistani authorities said the operation was retaliation for multiple attacks carried out by armed groups across Pakistan in recent days.

Al Jazeera reported that the strikes were aimed at fighters allied with the Taliban. The report did not include a response from the Taliban or Afghan authorities.

Villages count the damage

Footage published by Al Jazeera showed Afghan villagers looking through the remains of homes after the overnight attacks. The reported civilian toll stood at at least 36 dead and 163 injured.

The two sides gave sharply different accounts of the outcome: Al Jazeera reported dozens of Afghan civilians killed, while Islamabad said its strikes killed armed fighters. The reported attacks followed what Pakistan described as a series of assaults by armed groups across the country.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.