At least 46 people, including women and children, were killed and several others injured in an airstrike by Pakistani fighter jets on parts of Barmal district in Paktika province on Tuesday night.
In addition to the loss of life, the airstrike also caused the destruction of several homes and buildings.
The Islamic Emirate stated that the airstrikes targeted four areas in Barmal district of Paktika.
Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said about the incident:
“Unfortunately, I must say that last night, four areas in Barmal district of Paktika province were bombed, resulting in the destruction of several homes and the martyrdom of many women and children.”
Meanwhile, several eyewitnesses reported that Pakistani fighter jets targeted civilian homes in the district around 8:00 PM.
“It was around 8:00 PM when Pakistani jets came and bombed people who were neither Taliban nor Mujahideen. In one house, a woman and two children, who belonged to a poor family, were killed,” said Mirbat Khan, a resident of Barmal district.
“Last night, there was a bombing in Barmal district, resulting in several people being killed and others injured. The jets targeted homes where women and children were either killed or injured,” said Bawul Khan, another resident of Barmal district.
Abdullah Haqmal, head of Public Health for Paktika, said about the incident: “So far, 26 injured people, including 10 children, have been brought to the provincial hospital in Sharan city. Some of the injured, who were in critical condition, were transferred to the regional hospital in Paktia province.”
Abdullah Haqmal, head of the public health department of Paktika, added: “Civilians were targeted in the bombing, and 26 people, including women and children, were injured and brought to the hospital in Sharan city. Those in critical condition were transferred to Paktia’s regional hospital.”
Earlier, clashes had occurred between Pakistani forces and the Islamic Emirate in Gurbaz and Zazai Maidan districts of Khost province, Zazi Aryub and Dand-e-Patan districts of Paktia province, and at the Torkham crossing in Nangarhar.