Pakistan says it killed 28 militants, Taliban reports three civilian deaths

Pakistan claims to have carried out airstrikes that killed 28 militants along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border on Monday (Sep 21). One official indicated that two Afghan provinces, Paktika and Kunar, were targeted during the strikes. In response, the Afghan Taliban accused Pakistan of killing at least three civilians in retaliatory airstrikes on their territory.

The recent attacks marked a break in the relative peace that had prevailed for nearly three months. The Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, vowed that the Afghan government would respond appropriately to the aggression.