Pakistan Rejects India’s Condemnation of Airstrikes in Afghanistan
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has defended its military airstrikes on parts of eastern Afghanistan, describing India’s condemnation of these attacks as “baseless and ridiculous.” According to a United Nations report, these strikes have resulted in the deaths of 28 civilians and injuries to 49 others.
On Sunday night, Pakistani forces targeted areas in the Samkani district of Paktia province, Gyan in Paktika, and Manogi in Kunar with aerial bombardments. Pakistan claims that these operations targeted the hideouts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, killing 25 members of these groups.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry described the attacks as “legitimate, targeted, and proportionate,” asserting that they were carried out against “terror infrastructure in Afghanistan.” The ministry also accused India of historically interfering in the affairs of neighboring countries and undermining their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Furthermore, Islamabad alleged that India actively supports “terrorist” groups operating in Afghanistan against Pakistan, actions it deemed contrary to the United Nations Charter.
In contrast, India’s Ministry of External Affairs called Pakistan’s recent airstrikes a blatant violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability. India is the only country to have formally condemned the attacks, while other nations and international organizations have expressed concern and emphasized the protection of civilians.
This incident raises renewed questions about security weaknesses along the border and the use of Afghan territory by armed groups. The Taliban administration, responsible for nationwide security, has yet to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the details of these attacks or how to prevent such incidents from recurring.
