Taliban say four family members killed in Pakistani shelling in Khost

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban, stated that Pakistani artillery attacks in Alisher-Tarizai district of Khost province killed four members of a nomadic family -- one man, one woman and two children -- and wounded three other children around 4 a.m. on Thursday. The strikes targeted residential homes and nomad tents in Sadqo village's Badarga Gorgori area, according to Fitrat's statement on X.

Fitrat added that Pakistan also shelled border areas in Kunar province, with 32 shells landing in Marawara district, 110 in Sarkano, 65 in Naray and 14 in Khas Kunar. No deaths were reported there, but property damage occurred, including the destruction of a house belonging to a resident named Jafar in Sarkano district.

Pakistani officials have not commented on the incident. The attacks come amid clashes along the Durand Line border ongoing for 16 days. The United Nations reported 56 civilians killed in such fighting from February 26 to March 5. Both sides claim heavy casualties: the Taliban say 327 Pakistani soldiers were killed, while Pakistan claims more than 580 Taliban fighters died.