Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani on Wednesday condemned Pakistani airstrikes on a rehabilitation center in Kabul as “shameful” and called for an independent investigation by humanitarian organizations.
Speaking at a mass funeral for victims of the strike, Haqqani said Taliban forces were capable of responding but did not want the situation to escalate into a broader conflict.
“We want to tell them that is a big shame for you for using such bombs. We call on humanitarian organizations to freely investigate the incident… We appreciate reactions of these organizations,” he said.
He added that the Taliban leadership is working to find a solution. “Our forces have the ability to face Pakistan (military), but despite that, we don’t want the issue to end up in a crisis,” said Haqqani.
“We should not act out of revenge,” he said, urging the people of Pakistan, religious scholars and political parties to prevent further attacks.
The comments come after reported Pakistani airstrikes late Monday hit parts of Kabul, including a rehabilitation facility for drug addiction patients.
Taliban authorities say more than 400 people were killed and over 250 wounded, though the figures have not been independently verified.
Pakistan has not confirmed targeting a medical facility and says it struck militant infrastructure.
The strikes have drawn widespread international concern, with several countries and organizations calling for restraint and dialogue.
Russia, the European Union and the United Kingdom have urged de-escalation and mediation between the two sides.
Russia’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, said Moscow was concerned about rising tensions and was ready to mediate if requested by both sides.
The United Kingdom’s special representative for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, said civilians were bearing “the heaviest burden” of the conflict.
The European Union described the reported strike on the rehabilitation center as a violation of international humanitarian law.
UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan Richard Bennett called for an immediate and independent investigation into the incident and accountability for those responsible.
Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi also condemned the strikes, describing them as a “clear violation of humanitarian principles.”
He said Pakistan is pursuing what he called a “project-driven war” aimed at destabilizing the region and said Kabul was raising the issue with the international community.
Former President Hamid Karzai, speaking to Sky News, said tensions between Pakistan and Afghan governments have persisted regardless of who is in power in Kabul.
