AFP journalists in Kabul heard multiple explosions and gunfire on Tuesday as Afghan and Pakistani forces continued their border battles.
The explosions in the Afghan capital came as anti-aircraft weapons and gunfire were heard across the city and the Afghan Ministry of Defense said “fighting is still ongoing” against Pakistani forces.
An AFP journalist reported explosions and various weapons being fired in the city of Jalalabad, between Kabul and the border.
At the nearest border crossing, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Jalalabad, residents of Torkham told AFP that fighting had continued for days.
The neighbors have clashed on the border since Thursday, when Afghanistan launched a cross-border offensive in response to Pakistani airstrikes.
Hamdullah Fitrat, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s deputy government, said the latest casualties included three children killed on Monday in a “crime perpetrated by Pakistan’s military regime” in Kunar province.
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The Afghan government said at least 39 civilians had been killed since Thursday, with Pakistan not responding.
The UN children’s charity said it was “alarmed” by reports of child casualties in the conflict and called on all sides to “exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilian lives”.
Islamabad said its February airstrikes targeted the militants who fueled the escalation.
Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of failing to take action against militant groups that carry out attacks in Pakistan, a claim rejected by the Taliban government.
Border fighting has hit many Afghan provinces.
The latest clashes are taking place in southern Kandahar, according to the Ministry of Defense and the provincial information department in neighboring Zabul.
The violence in recent days has been the worst since October fighting that left more than 70 people dead on both sides, with land borders between the neighbors largely closed.
(With FRANCE 24 AFP)
(tags to translate)Asia / Pacific
