Pakistani airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan kill dozens

KABUL — Pakistan's security forces killed at least 29 militants in ground and air operations along the Afghanistan border, it said on Monday, while the Afghan government said at least 36 civilians were killed in airstrikes.

Islamabad said the overnight aerial assault struck targets in Afghanistan that belonged to militants. The strikes threatened to exacerbate an intermittent conflict between the neighbors, who fought their worst battle in years in February.

Pakistan's Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Monday that 29 terrorists were killed after Pakistan launched a ground operation and airstrikes against outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists and its splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar along the border areas.

The dead militants were involved in recent terrorist incidents against innocent civilians and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan, Tarar added.

Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said early on Monday that the Pakistani military carried out airstrikes on Gayan District in Paktika Province, Tsamkani District in Paktia Province, and Manogai District in Kunar Province.

He strongly condemned what he described as a "cowardly act of aggression", calling it "a crime and an act of brutality".

The escalation follows months of tit-for-tat military action. Hundreds of people have been killed in cross-border fighting since February, when Afghanistan launched retaliatory strikes after Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghan territory.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Interior Ministry has directed authorities nationwide to immediately arrest any Afghan national found residing in the country without a valid visa from July 10, according to an official notification issued on Sunday.

The directive follows decisions made during a June 1 review meeting on a plan to repatriate foreigners living in the country illegally.

XINHUA-AGENCIES