Why is Kabul Condemning Pakistan's Attack on Afghan Territory?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kabul condemned Pakistani airstrikes as a violation of sovereignty.
- At least ten civilians, including nine children, were killed.
- The Afghan government plans a necessary response.
- This incident raises concerns about escalating border tensions.
- Calls for a more stable resolution between Afghanistan and Pakistan are urgent.
Kabul, Nov 25 (NationPress) On Tuesday, the Afghan capital Kabul issued a strong condemnation of the recent airstrikes conducted by Pakistan in the Afghan provinces of Paktika, Khost, and Kunar. These actions have been labeled as a violation of the nation's sovereignty and contravention of internationally accepted norms.
The Afghan government reported that these strikes resulted in the tragic deaths of at least ten civilians, including nine children, in a residential area of Khost. Additionally, airstrikes in Kunar and Paktika left four civilians injured.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the interim Afghan government, took to social media to assert that a necessary response will be forthcoming at an appropriate time.
He remarked, "The airstrikes executed last night by Pakistani forces on Afghan soil in the provinces of Paktika, Khost, and Kunar represent a blatant attack on Afghanistan's sovereignty and a significant breach of established international standards by the Pakistani authorities," as posted on X.
He added, "These aggressive actions by Pakistani forces yield no benefit; they merely highlight how operations based on poor intelligence escalate tensions and reveal the ongoing failures of Pakistan's military regime."
The Afghan spokesperson emphasized that Kabul reserves the right to defend its territory and assured that an "appropriate response will be delivered at the right moment."
"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemns this violation and criminal act in the strongest possible terms, reiterating that safeguarding its borders is a legitimate religious right. An appropriate counteraction will be executed at the right time," Mujahid stated.
The assault reportedly occurred shortly after midnight, targeting a local resident's home, raising fresh concerns about escalating hostilities along the border.
Mujahid noted that the strike occurred around 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday in the Mughalgai area of Khost's Gurbuz district.
He further detailed that "the Pakistani invading forces bombed the residence of a local civilian, Waliat Khan, the son of Qazi Mir. Consequently, nine children (five boys and four girls) and one woman were martyred, and his house was destroyed."
He also confirmed that separate airstrikes took place that same night, stating, "Air strikes also occurred in Kunar and Paktika, with four civilians injured."
This latest strike in Afghan provinces has heightened fears of a renewed cycle of violence as tensions escalate once more along this volatile border, which had seen a brief respite from cross-border violence following intense clashes in October.