Pakistan carried out surprise airstrike in Paktika province of Barmal district in Afghanistan, late at night on Tuesday, killing 15, as per reports. The death toll is likely to rise.

The airstrikes targeted seven villages, including Laman, where five members of a family were killed, and villages like Murg Bazar in Barmal were completely destroyed, suggested the reports. Local sources claimed that the Pakistani jets were responsible for the airstrike.

The airstrike is being investigated and there is no official confirmation of Pakistan’s involvement. Though, Taliban’s Defence Ministry has vowed to retaliate, as per media reports. 

Pakistani officials have not officially confirmed the airstrikes, but security sources close to the military suggested that the airstrikes targeted Taliban positions near the border.

The airstrikes come amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. As per reports, the Pakistani Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has stepped up its attacks on Pakistani forces in recent months, with Pakistan accusing the Afghan Taliban of harboring the militants.

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