FRAUGHT RELATIONS
In neighbouring Paktika, two residents said a separate attack killed three civilians in Barmal district.
The strike hit a home, and those killed were children, one of the residents said.
The strikes are the deadliest in weeks and follow a period of relative calm at the border after conflict between the two countries erupted in late February.
An escalation saw fierce fighting along the frontier and unprecedented Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan cities – including the capital Kabul and southern Kandahar, where the supreme leader is based.
At least 372 Afghan civilians were killed and 397 others wounded in that conflict in the first three months of this year, a United Nations report published last month said.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been fraught since the Taliban authorities took power in Kabul for a second time in 2021.
Security issues have proved a sticking point, especially Pakistan’s demand that Afghanistan curb the TTP militant group.
Islamabad accuses the Taliban government of sheltering militants behind a surge in attacks, particularly the TTP, which has waged a violent campaign against Pakistan for years.
Tarar, Pakistan’s information chief, signalled military operations would continue.
“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,” he wrote on X.
Afghan officials have repeatedly denied the accusations from Islamabad, and counter that Pakistan harbours hostile groups and does not respect its sovereignty.
The border between the neighbours has remained largely closed since a flare-up in violence in October, freezing bilateral trade.