Islamabad — In a dramatic escalation of cross-border tensions, Pakistan’s military has unleashed a series of “double-tap” airstrikes along the Afghanistan border, reportedly killing at least 35 people—including women and children—according to an NDTV report citing local officials. The strikes, which targeted militant hideouts in the volatile border region, have drawn sharp condemnation from Kabul and raised fears of a humanitarian crisis.

A Deadly Second Wave

The term “double-tap” refers to a controversial military tactic where a second strike is launched shortly after the first—often targeting first responders or survivors attempting to rescue the wounded. According to sources, Pakistan’s air force executed such a strategy early Wednesday morning in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, near the porous Durand Line. The initial attack struck suspected militant compounds, while the follow-up strike hit rescue efforts, killing more civilians.

Local authorities confirmed that among the 35 dead, at least 10 were children, with dozens more wounded. “It was chaos. Families were running, and then the second explosion came,” a tribal elder told NDTV on condition of anonymity. The attack has ignited protests in the border areas, with residents calling for an independent investigation.

Official Justification

Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Major General Ahmed Sharif, defended the strikes, stating they were part of a “precision counterterrorism operation” targeting foreign militants hiding in Afghan soil. “We have credible intelligence that these hideouts were being used to launch attacks on Pakistani soil,” Sharif said in a press briefing. “The double-tap tactic was necessary to eliminate fleeing terrorists who often use civilian shields.”

However, human rights groups have long criticized double-tap strikes as potential violations of international law. “Such tactics risk disproportionate civilian harm,” said a United Nations spokesperson, urging all parties to exercise restraint.

Afghan Outcry

The Afghan government in Kabul was quick to condemn the strikes, calling them a “blatant violation of sovereignty.” Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khwarazmi stated, “These attacks kill innocent Afghan civilians. Pakistan must answer for these crimes.” The Taliban-run administration, which previously sheltered anti-Pakistan militant groups, vowed to retaliate, warning of “serious consequences.”

The incident threatens to further strain already fragile ties between Islamabad and Kabul. The two nations have long traded accusations of harboring militants, with Pakistan claiming that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters operate from Afghan sanctuaries.

Children Among the Victims

The most heart-wrenching details emerging from the attack involve the casualties among minors. Witnesses described scenes of children playing in courtyards when the first bombs fell, followed by a second wave. One survivor, a 14-year-old boy named Hamid, wept as he recounted losing his younger sister: “She was only six. She just wanted to get her doll.”

Medical teams at a nearby hospital reported treating burns and shrapnel wounds in at least 15 children, some in critical condition.

Global Community Reacts

International organizations have called for an immediate ceasefire and an impartial probe. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) issued a statement expressing “deep concern” and emphasizing the need to protect civilians. The United States and the European Union also urged restraint, warning that such strikes could derail peace efforts in the region.

Conclusion

The Pakistan ‘double-tap’ strikes on the Afghanistan border have left a trail of death and devastation, with 35 lives lost—including those of children—and a volatile geopolitical standoff intensifying. As Islamabad defends its military necessity, Kabul cries foul over sovereignty violations, and the world watches the rising human cost. The true toll may not be numbers on a list, but the shattered families left behind in a conflict that shows no signs of abating. For now, the border remains a flashpoint, and the cries of the wounded echo through the mountains.