Pakistan Bombs Areas in Khost, Paktika, and Kunar Provinces Again on Monday Night

Pakistan once again bombarded areas in the provinces of Khost, Paktika, and Kunar on Monday night, December 3.

The Taliban state that in these attacks, “residential homes” were targeted and “civilians” lost their lives. In images released by the Taliban, lifeless bodies of children can be seen, having died in a horrific manner.

According to reports from Taliban spokespersons, in Khost, a “civilian” family was targeted, and all its members—including a large number of children—were killed. The Taliban also report that in Kunar, four “civilians” were injured.

These attacks have been met with strong condemnation from the Taliban and some Afghan political leaders.

However, some sources claim that the targets of these attacks were terrorist cells affiliated with “Jamaat-ul-Ahrar,” a Pakistani militant group that had previously split from the TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) but has recently realigned with it.

Reports further add that “Jamaat-ul-Ahrar” is supported by the Haqqani Network, and the provinces of Khost, Paktika, and Kunar—targeted in the recent attacks—are largely considered to be within the Haqqani Network’s sphere of influence.

According to these reports, in Pakistan’s recent attacks, low-ranking members of “Jamaat-ul-Ahrar” were killed or injured, but none of the group’s leaders or commanders were among the casualties.

The referenced reports also indicate that recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan were the work of “Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.”

IRAF (Independent Radio and Audio Foundation) is unable to independently verify or refute these reports.

On the other hand, the Taliban have not specified whether those killed were Afghan nationals or members of TTP families and other Pakistani groups, referred to in Afghan media as “Waziristani migrants.”

However, in the past, a number of “Waziristani migrants” have been targeted, killed, and injured in Pakistani airstrikes.