Afghan military facilities struck

In ruins: Residents inspecting the damage after what locals say was a possible drone that hit a residential house in the Sarah Gharghai area, in Quetta. — Reuters

The government said its forces had attacked military facilities in southern Afghanistan, as well as “terrorist hideouts”, in the latest strikes between the two sides.

Security sources said troops “effectively destroyed technical support infrastructure and equipment storage facility in Kanda­har”, which is home to the Taliban administration’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

Another strike targeted a tunnel in Kandahar purportedly used by the Afghan Taliban and the Pakistani Taliban group or TTP, which Islamabad blames for a wave of strikes, they added.

Local residents in Kandahar said they saw jet planes flying over the city and heard explosions during the night.

“Military planes flew over the mountain where there is a military facility, and an explosion followed,” one said, adding flames could be seen.

An airstrike was also heard in Spin Boldak, southeast of Kanda­har, residents said, while authorities in the eastern border pro­vince of Khost said there were clashes on Saturday night.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the strikes caused some damage to a drug rehabilitation centre and an empty container in Kandahar.

“The places they are talking about are far away from these two places,” he added.

Pakistan said on Saturday it had thwarted “drone attacks” launched by Afghanistan which were intercepted on Friday night.

At least three locations were targeted, including the Pakistani military headquarters in Rawal­pindi, near the capital Islamabad, authorities said.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s office said the Afghan Taliban had “crossed a red line” by targeting civilians, and pro­mised a response.

Islamabad launched a military operation against Afghanistan last month, targeting what it said were extremists following attacks in Pakistan.

The Taliban has denied any involvement or the use of Afghan territory for militancy, while Pakistan insists it does not target civilians.

There have been repeated clashes at the border in recent weeks, hampering trade and forcing nearby residents to leave their homes. — AFP