LANDIKOTAL
In a distressing incident, two mortar shells allegedly fired from Afghan territory struck near the residential area in Landikotal and injured four members of the same family, local. sources said on Monday.
The sources said that around 6: 17 pm mortars were fired from Afghanistan side and struck Malik Jahangir Kallay in Khyber Sadukhel. They said Ajmal Khan Afridi, his brother Luqman, Romania and Taimoor were injured in the incident. The injured were rushed to the district headquarters hospital in Landikotal, where they were provided urgent medical treatment.
Hospital officials said all the wounded were now reported to be out of danger.
The incident comes amid a sharp escalation of cross-border hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In recent days, tensions have soared following a series of clashes and military actions that both sides describe as responses to unprovoked aggression. Pakistan has launched operation “Ghazab lil-Haq”against Afghan Taliban positions in Afghanistan after alleged unprovoked firing and militant attacks along the border, including airstrikes on Afghan cities such as Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia, which Islamabad dubbed an “open war”.
The broader conflict reflects long-standing disputes along the porous Durand Line border, with both nations accusing each other of harboring and supporting militant groups responsible for cross-border attacks. Regional and international efforts at de-escalation and mediation have so far failed to halt the recent surge in violence.
Authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa condemned the mortar attack and called for heightened security measures to protect civilians living near the volatile frontier. Police and security forces have increased patrols in the area as investigations continue.
