Pakistan on Wednesday rejected India’s condemnation of its recent airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, calling New Delhi’s criticism “baseless” and defending the strikes as legitimate operations against militant infrastructure.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the airstrikes were “legitimate, targeted and proportionate actions against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan.”
The ministry was responding to a statement issued Monday by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which described Pakistan’s airstrikes as a “blatant act of aggression,” saying they violated Afghanistan’s sovereignty and posed a direct threat to regional peace and stability.
Pakistan dismissed India’s criticism, saying it came from a country that had “historically interfered in and undermined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbouring countries.”
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry also accused India of supporting militant groups operating from Afghanistan’s territory against Pakistan, alleging that New Delhi “has been actively aiding and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.” It did not provide evidence to support the claim.
The ministry further said Pakistan would continue to take “all appropriate measures” to protect the country’s security in accordance with international law.
India remains the only country to have explicitly condemned Pakistan’s latest cross-border strikes in Afghanistan. Other governments and international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union and the United Kingdom, have expressed concern over the civilian casualties, called for restraint and urged the protection of civilians, but have stopped short of directly condemning Islamabad.
Pakistan carried out the airstrikes late Sunday in the eastern provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar, saying it had targeted hideouts belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, killing 25 militants.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it had verified that at least 28 civilians, including women and children, were killed and 49 others injured in the strikes. Taliban have said Pakistan has bombed residential areas and violating Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
The exchange has further heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, as well as between Pakistan and the Taliban, amid an escalating cycle of cross-border military action and diplomatic recriminations.
