ISLAMABAD — Pakistan accused Afghan border forces of targeting civilians in a new wave of clashes, saying at least nine people were killed and 15 injured over the past two days.Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X that those killed included women and children, with 12 people injured on Thursday in what he described as “unprovoked and criminal targeting of civilians” in the Bajaur tribal district.He added that three civilians were injured on Friday while playing cricket, blaming a quadcopter attack on what Islamabad refers to as “Fitna Al Khwarij,” a term used by Pakistan for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).Pakistan alleges the group is backed by Afghan authorities, a claim Kabul has repeatedly denied.There was no immediate response from Afghanistan to the latest accusations.Earlier this week, Afghan officials said at least four civilians were killed and around 70 others, including students, were injured in a missile strike they attributed to Pakistan in Kunar province, which Islamabad dismissed as “frivolous.”Tarar said Pakistan targets militant hideouts and infrastructure while taking precautions to avoid civilian harm.The competing claims could not be independently verified.Pakistan and Afghanistan experienced some of their worst border clashes in March, leaving hundreds dead on both sides.The violence subsided after a ceasefire was reached on March 18 ahead of Eid al-Fitr, following mediation efforts by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.Subsequent talks between the two sides were held in Urumqi under mediation by China, with both countries agreeing to continue discussions on resolving bilateral issues.
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