Washington, Nov 25 (NationPress) Former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad on Tuesday expressed his strong condemnation of the Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil that resulted in the deaths of 10 civilians, including nine children, and left four others injured.

This statement followed the confirmation from the Afghan government that Pakistani forces had launched an attack in a residential area of Khost province at midnight, claiming the lives of 10 individuals, while additional strikes in Kunar and Paktika provinces caused injuries to four more.

Khalilzad took to social media platform X, stating, "I condemn these attacks. My heartfelt condolences go out to those who have lost family members. The killing of civilians and endangering broader conflicts is not the solution to the issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan. A patient and pragmatic diplomatic approach is far more effective."

According to reports, Khalilzad noted that a senior delegation from Turkey is anticipated to visit Islamabad and potentially Kabul soon to aid in reaching an agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan aimed at preventing their territories from being exploited by entities that threaten each other's security.

"This agreement might involve creating an operational or monitoring office, potentially based in Ankara, staffed by representatives from Turkey, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. This center could monitor and address issues whenever allegations or reports of violations arise. I commend this initiative and urge both nations to collaborate on it," he added.

Simultaneously, Afghanistan condemned the airstrikes in Paktika, Khost, and Kunar, labeling them as an infringement on its sovereignty and a breach of internationally recognized standards.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the interim Afghan government, took to social media, emphasizing that a necessary response would be forthcoming at the appropriate time.

"The airstrikes executed last night by Pakistani forces in Afghanistan's Paktika, Khost, and Kunar provinces signify a direct assault on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a clear violation of internationally accepted norms by Pakistani authorities," Mujahid posted on X.

"These aggressive actions by Pakistani military forces accomplish nothing; they merely demonstrate that operations based on flawed intelligence escalate tensions and highlight the ongoing failures of Pakistan's military regime," he stated.

The Afghan spokesperson reiterated that Kabul has the right to defend its territory and assured that an "appropriate response will be provided at the right moment."

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan vehemently condemns this infringement and criminal act in the strongest terms, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding its air and ground borders. It views the defense of its nation as a legitimate religious right, and an appropriate response will be forthcoming at the right time," Mujahid asserted.

Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms over civilian casualties amid the cross-border conflict. International analysts caution that without diplomatic measures to avert escalation, civilians will continue to suffer as a result of retaliatory military actions from both sides of the border.