Pakistan has launched deadly air strikes along its border with Afghanistan, breaking months of relative calm in the restive region.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that four targets had been destroyed in “calibrated strikes” that had killed 26 militants. Afghanistan’s Taliban government earlier said 13 people, including 11 children, were killed in Pakistani strikes in three provinces.

Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of harbouring terrorists who carry out attacks on Pakistani soil, a claim the Taliban government rejects.

The latest escalation is the first since February, when fighting at the border left hundreds dead.

The two countries had agreed a ceasefire last October following weeks of deadly clashes.

Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes were in response to “recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan” and that they targeted “hideouts and safe havens” on the border, including a training centre and an ammunition cache.

“Pakistan has always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority,” Tarar said.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said earlier that Pakistani strikes had hit targets in the provinces of Kunar, Khost and Paktika.

He said “11 children, one woman, and one elderly man were killed” in the strikes.

Apart from denying Pakistan’s allegation that it had been providing safe harbour to militants, Afghanistan’s government has repeatedly said its territory is not being used to threaten the security of other countries.

There have been sporadic clashes since the heavy fighting in late February and world leaders have called on the two nations to cease hostilities.

Source: BBC

--Agencies