Pakistan Claims Kabul Airstrikes as Self-Defense Following Death of TTP Leader
Following an airstrike by Pakistani military forces targeting locations in Kabul that reportedly resulted in the death of Maulana Noor Wali Mehsud, leader of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Pakistani officials have described the action as a legitimate act of self-defense against terrorist threats.
On Saturday, October 10, The Nation newspaper quoted Shafqat Ali Khan, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as saying the operation was carried out precisely based on intelligence and targeted solely armed groups threatening the security of Pakistani citizens. He emphasized that “no action was taken against Afghanistan.”
Although Pakistani officials speak of dialogue and cooperation to address security threats, many analysts view such operations on Afghan soil as violations of the nation’s sovereignty. This tactic has been repeated by Pakistan over recent years, provoking widespread domestic reactions.
In response to the airstrike, the Taliban-led Afghan Ministry of Defense condemned it as an “unprecedented violent act” that damages bilateral relations. However, the ministry did not explain why Afghanistan’s airspace was violated or what practical measures have been taken to prevent similar incidents.
Experts believe these attacks reflect a severe weakness in managing the country’s airspace and the Taliban administration’s incapacity to uphold national sovereignty, while Afghan civilians continue to suffer amid regional conflicts and growing security gaps.
