Tensions rise over Pakistan airstrike in Afghanistan: India condemns, over 20 civilians killed

International Desk
Tensions have risen over Pakistani airstrikes in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Paktika in Afghanistan.

Kabul claims that at least 25 civilians were killed in an attack on a house in Nangarhar.

Islamabad, on the other hand, says 70 militants have been killed in “precise and intelligence-based” strikes on at least seven militant bases in the border area.

The Afghan Defense Ministry said in a statement that the attack was a “clear violation” of Afghan airspace and international law.

Nangarhar police spokesman Syed Tayeb Hammad said the attack damaged residential areas and caused civilian casualties, including women and children. Kabul warned that it would give a “necessary and proportionate response at the appropriate time.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the operation was carried out in response to recent suicide attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu.

Pakistan claimed that the attacks targeted the bases of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—which it refers to as ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’ (FAK)—and ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K).

Pakistan’s Minister of State for the Interior Talal Chaudhry said that most of the dead were Pakistani citizens and that terrorist attacks were being carried out in Pakistan using Afghan territory.

Pakistan also claimed that Kabul has failed to fulfill the promise made by the Afghan Taliban in the 2020 Doha Agreement—that Afghan soil would not be used for terrorism against other countries.

Islamabad has called on the international community to pressure the Afghan interim government to fulfill its commitments.

Following the incident, the Taliban Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to Kabul, Ubaid ur Rahman Nizamani, and handed him a letter of protest, according to sources.

Strong condemnation from India

India has also strongly condemned the incident. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement, “India strongly condemns the airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Afghan territory, resulting in the loss of lives of civilians, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan.”

He described the attack as “another attempt to cover up Pakistan’s internal failures.”

India reiterated its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan.

Background: Deteriorating relationship

In October last year, there were also claims of casualties on both sides in a border clash. According to the Pakistani military, 23 Pakistani soldiers and more than 200 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed in that clash. Kabul has accused Islamabad of being behind attacks and explosions across the border.

A recent suicide attack in Bannu killed a lieutenant colonel and an army soldier. A car bomb attack in Bajaur killed 11 soldiers and a child. Pakistan says the Afghan-based TTP and its ally ISIS have claimed responsibility for these attacks.

In this situation, tensions between the two neighboring countries have reached new levels. Kabul says it will not remain silent; Islamabad says the security of its citizens is its top priority. Concerns about security and regional stability in South Asia are deepening.