Pakistani airstrikes target Taliban special forces site in Kandahar, sources say

Pakistani airstrikes targeted a Taliban special forces facility linked to the Taliban’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada in southern Afghanistan on Saturday night, sources confirmed to Amu TV, as the cross-border fighting entered its 18th day.

Sources also said that the strikes hit a unit in Kandahar’s District 9 where fighters loyal to Akhundzada were being trained. The number of casualties from the attack was not immediately clear.

The facility, located near a compound associated with the late Taliban founder Mullah Omar, is considered one of the most trusted units under Akhundzada’s command, the sources said.

They added that Pakistani airstrikes also targeted a Taliban ammunition depot and a border command center elsewhere in Kandahar province.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, however, disputed the account. He said Pakistani forces struck a section of a drug rehabilitation hospital and an empty shipping container that had previously been used as a Taliban checkpoint.

Mujahid said no one was injured in the strikes.

Residents and sources in Kandahar said security around the special forces compound is typically tight, preventing civilians from approaching the area. They also reported gunfire directed at Pakistani aircraft from near the compound linked to Mullah Omar, Taliban’s former leader, following the airstrike.

Reports of Pakistani aircraft patrolling the border districts of Spin Boldak and Shorabak in Kandahar province have also emerged.

Meanwhile, Taliban reported continued clashes along Afghanistan’s eastern border. Fighting has been reported in parts of Khost and Paktika provinces, while Taliban authorities in Kunar province said dozens of Pakistani artillery shells struck the area over the past 24 hours.

Taliban said one school was damaged by the shelling.

Residents in the affected areas expressed concern that civilians are increasingly at risk as tensions escalate.

Pakistani airstrikes and artillery attacks have targeted Kandahar, Kabul and parts of eastern Afghanistan over the past two weeks, according to Taliban officials, while the Taliban say they have launched retaliatory attacks.

There are few signs the conflict will ease. A spokesperson for Pakistan’s prime minister said military operations would continue until militant activity originating from Afghanistan’s territory stops.