Kabul, March 18 (HBTV): In a major incident, Pakistan on Monday carried out two airstrikes in Afghan territory, killing five women and three children, according to a Taliban spokesperson who condemned the strikes as a violation of sovereignty. The strikes came as the neighbours have traded blame over responsibility for recent militant attacks in Pakistan.

Pakistan carried out the airstrikes in retaliation for a militant attack on Saturday that killed seven soldiers in North Waziristan. A suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden truck into a military post in North Waziristan, killing the soldiers. The attack on the military post was claimed by a newly formed militant group, Jaish-e-Fursan-e-Muhammad. However, Pakistani security officials believed the group mainly is comprised of members of the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, which often targets Pakistani soldiers and police.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari attended the funerals of the soldiers, including an army lieutenant colonel and captain, and vowed to retaliate for their killings, saying “the blood of our martyred soldiers will not go in vain". Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called the attack a “cowardly” move by the terrorists.

Two Pakistani security and intelligence officials said the airstrikes were carried out in Khost and Paktika provinces bordering Pakistan, targeting TTP hideouts in Afghan territory. No further details were announced. The strikes killed five women and three children in the eastern border provinces of Khost and Paktika, said Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahi