Pakistan Launches Sustained Mortar, Rocket and Drone Strikes on Three Eastern Afghan Provinces

Pakistan launched sustained mortar, rocket, and drone strikes across three eastern Afghan provinces — Kunar, Paktika, and Khost — on April 2. Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat stated Pakistan had been 'continuously carrying out mortar, missile and drone attacks' targeting civilian areas. In Kunar's Sarkano and Manogai districts, over 150 long-range artillery shells were fired. Paktika's Shkin district and Khost's Zazi Maidan district were also hit. The strikes killed two children and wounded approximately 30 people, mostly civilians. Afghan officials accused Pakistan of intentionally targeting civilian areas; Pakistan asserted its operations targeted TTP and Taliban military infrastructure only.