Afghanistan’s foreign ministry summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul to lodge a formal protest against what Taliban authorities said were Pakistani military strikes in Nangarhar and Khost provinces. The local media reported that Afghan officials strongly condemned the overnight strikes which claimed the lives of three people and injured seven others.

Local residents accused Pakistani drones of deliberately attacking civilian homes. In its protest note, the Afghan Foreign Ministry called Pakistan’s action a violation of Afghan airspace and the bombing of civilian areas near the Durand Line a blatant breach of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and a provocative act. Pakistan has earlier carried out similar drone operations in Khost, Paktia, and Paktika provinces, causing numerous civilian casualties, including women and children.