admin 
Kabul, March 13: The Afghan government has claimed that the Pakistan Air Force carried out an airstrike on fuel depots belonging to private airline Kam Air near Kandahar Airport, escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the attack in a post on X on Friday. According to him, the targeted fuel depot supplies aviation fuel for domestic airlines and United Nations aircraft operating in Afghanistan.
Mujahid also accused Pakistan of previously attacking fuel storage facilities owned by a national trader named Haji Khan Zadah, describing the strikes as part of a broader escalation along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Artillery Shelling Reported in Khost Province
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Pakistan’s military launched artillery shelling in Alisher-Terezai district of Khost province, located near the disputed Durand Line.
According to media reports, the shelling killed four members of the same family and injured three others. Local authorities said the attack targeted areas close to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Rising Tensions Along the Durand Line
The latest attack comes amid increasing military confrontations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent weeks. In February, Pakistan reportedly carried out airstrikes in Kabul and other Afghan cities, citing security concerns along the shared border.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the situation as an “open war,” accusing the Taliban government of harboring militant groups that launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Afghan Forces Claim Retaliation
The Afghan Ministry of National Defence stated that Afghan forces launched retaliatory operations along the Durand Line on February 26, claiming that 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed during the clashes.
The Durand Line has long remained a disputed border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, tensions between the two countries have intensified.
Pakistan Accuses Afghanistan of Sheltering TTP
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership of providing shelter to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a militant group that has carried out attacks in Pakistan since 2007.
Although the TTP operates separately from the Afghan Taliban, analysts say the two groups share ideological and social connections.
Violence linked to the TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has surged in recent years, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, which share borders with Afghanistan.
India Condemns Airstrikes in Afghanistan
India has strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes inside Afghan territory, expressing concern over civilian casualties including women and children during Ramadan.
The Indian government reiterated its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity while calling for restraint and stability in the region.
About The Author
