Pak passes off as TTP cadre the women and children it killed in Afghanistan

At least 60 people, including women and children, died in the airstrikes carried out by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the districts of Kunar and Khost in Afghanistan and North Waziristan and Bajaur agency of Pakistan. The Pakistan military however, has claimed that its airstrikes have taken out Tehreek-e-taliban Pakistan (TTP) commanders. These airstrikes were carried out by the PAF in wake of the increased attacks on Pakistan Army officials by the TTP.

Speaking to The Sunday Guardian, Muhammad Khorasani, the spokesman of Tehreek-e-taliban Pakistan, said that the Pakistan Air Force fighters crossed into Afghanistan airspace and dropped bombs on refugee camps in Khost and Kunar, both of which border Pakistan. “According to our reports, the bombing by Pakistani Air Force jets has killed 60 people, including women and children. We have repeatedly stated that we are not based in Afghanistan, but carry out operations from Pakistan. Sadly, the bombing has killed innocent people who had taken refuge in camps after being displaced by Pakistan military’s Zarb-e-azb operations. They have killed innocent civilians and to hide their failure they are claiming that they have taken out the TTP cadre and leaders,” Khorasani said.

Mohamed Ag Ayoya, UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan, has stated that the organisation has confirmed that a total of 20 children were killed during airstrikes carried out by Pakistan on 16 April in the provinces of Khost and Kunar. “In Khost, twelve girls and three boys were killed, while in Kunar, three girls and two boys were killed,” Ayoya tweeted on 20 April.

In a pre-dawn attack on 16 April, the Pakistani military launched its fighter jets and drones to take out what it claimed to be hideouts of the TTP leadership. As per sources on the ground, these atuk