Pakistan Airstrikes Kill 9 Children in Khost, Afghanistan Claims

Is this illegal government action, or an unsubstantiated claim?

Published NOV 25 2025

Pakistan Airstrikes Kill 9 Children in Khost, Afghanistan Claims

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Above: An Afghan man inspects a damaged house in a Kandahar village on Nov. 7, 2025. Image credit: Sanaullah Seiam/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

Pakistan's airstrikes on Afghan civilians demonstrate pure cowardice and reveal corrupt governing that violates international law. The deliberate targeting of women and children in Khost, Kunar and Paktika provinces shows that Pakistan lacks any willingness or capability for peace, and that the nation is unable to maintain stability even within its own borders.

Hamid Karzai on X

Abdul Salam Zaeef on X

Narrative B

Afghan actors are spreading fake news using old footage to falsely claim Pakistani airstrikes occurred, acting as proxies for India. Pakistan officially announces all military operations, and none were conducted in these areas. Afghanistan continues to harbor terrorist organizations that launch cross-border attacks, forcing Pakistan to defend itself while Afghan authorities refuse to address the real problem of terrorism.

DAWN

South West Defender on X

Metaculus Prediction

Articles on this story

Afghanistan says Pakistan bombed Khost, killing nine children and a woman