Kabul: Afghanistan's Taliban government has vowed to "respond appropriately" after blaming Pakistan for overnight airstrikes in Khost province that killed 10 civilians, including nine children and a woman.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated on X that the strikes targeted a civilian residence in the Jige Mughalgai area, condemning the attack as a violation of sovereignty. "The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns this violation and reiterates that defending its airspace, territory, and people is its legitimate right," he said, adding that nearby border regions in Kunar and Paktika were also hit, wounding at least four others.

Local officials reported that the bombardment involved drones and aircraft. Residents in the affected border areas were seen searching through rubble and preparing graves for the victims. "Civilians have done nothing wrong," said Sajidulrahman, a local resident, pleading with Pakistan to halt attacks on ordinary people.

The strikes followed a suicide bombing on Monday at a paramilitary headquarters in Peshawar, Pakistan, which killed three officers and injured 11. While no group claimed responsibility, Pakistani state media alleged the attackers were Afghan nationals, and officials pointed fingers at the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring.

Pakistani authorities have not officially commented on the overnight strikes but have previously insisted on their right to target militant hideouts.

Tensions between the two neighbours have escalated significantly since border clashes in October killed dozens on both sides. Despite a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey, security talks have stalled over Pakistan's demands for Kabul to curb TTP activities. The shared border remains largely closed, halting trade and stranding thousands of cargo containers, causing severe economic strain.

With inputs from AFP