India Denounces Pakistani Airstrikes on Afghanistan, Calls It an 'Old Habit' to Accuse Neighbors
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New Delhi, Jan 6 (NationPress) India on Monday denounced the recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan, highlighting that it is Islamabad's old habit to shift blame onto its neighbors for its internal issues.
"We have observed the media reports regarding airstrikes on Afghan civilians, including women and children, leading to the loss of several precious lives," stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while addressing inquiries about the airstrikes on Afghan civilians.
"We categorically condemn any assault on innocent civilians. It is a longstanding pattern for Pakistan to attribute its internal shortcomings to neighboring countries. We have also acknowledged the remarks from an Afghan spokesperson concerning this matter," he continued.
On December 24, Pakistani airstrikes within Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of 46 individuals, including numerous women and children, drawing global condemnation and a stern warning from the current government in the conflict-stricken nation.
The airstrikes conducted by Pakistani fighter jets in the Barmal district of Paktika province marked the second instance in 2024 of Islamabad directly targeting "civilian zones" on Afghan soil.
In March 2024, a comparable strike led to the deaths of eight individuals, three of whom were children.
"Afghans will not forget the invasion of their land, and Pakistani leaders should adopt a more cautious approach," remarked Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, two days following the airstrikes.
During his address at an event commemorating the 45th anniversary of the Soviet invasion, Muttaqi strongly urged Pakistan to "learn from the fates of the Soviet Union and the United States," stressing that Afghanistan will never tolerate invasions. He also called upon the Pakistani populace to halt their leaders' misguided policies.
Enayatullah Khwarazmi, spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Defence, emphasized that Pakistan must understand that such arbitrary actions do not resolve any issues.
"The Islamic Emirate views this brutal act as a violation of all international norms and a clear act of aggression, and it is strongly condemned. The Pakistani side must recognize that such arbitrary measures do not address any problem," the spokesperson was quoted as saying by Afghan news outlet Tolo news.
Hamid Karzai, the former President of Afghanistan, condemned the airstrikes by Pakistani military forces in the "strongest terms," labeling it a blatant act of aggression and a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty.
Karzai attributed the strained relations between the two nations to Pakistan's misguided policies of fostering extremism in the region and attempting to undermine Afghanistan.
He cautioned that constructive relations based on mutual respect would benefit both countries.
Hafiz Zia Ahmad, Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul, was summoned to the Afghan foreign ministry and received a strong demarche.
