The Taliban’s Ministry of Defense condemned Pakistani airstrikes on Khost and Nangarhar as “brutal and inhumane,” warning that such actions will only inflame tensions between “the two countries” and foster deeper resentment among the Afghan population.
In a statement issued late Thursday, the ministry said several civilians — including women and children — were killed in air raids carried out by Pakistani aircraft on eastern provinces along the border.
“These actions are not in the interest of either country and will have negative consequences,” the ministry said. It warned that any repetition of what it called “irresponsible acts” would escalate hostilities and deepen public anger.
The ministry urged Pakistan to refrain from further cross-border attacks and to resolve concerns through diplomatic means.
The statement comes a day after the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul and delivered a formal protest note in response to the strikes. The ministry confirmed that Pakistani military aircraft carried out overnight attacks on areas in Khost and Nangarhar provinces, killing three civilians and injuring seven others.
The Taliban described the strikes as a violation of Afghan airspace and “a blatant breach of national sovereignty and a provocative act.”
Tensions between the two countries have intensified in recent years, largely over Pakistan’s accusations that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants operate from sanctuaries in Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban to take action against the group, which has carried out numerous attacks inside Pakistan.
The Pakistani government has not yet commented on the latest airstrikes.
The incident marks another flashpoint in the already strained relationship between Islamabad and the Taliban administration, raising concerns about further instability along the shared border.
