Taliban Condemn 'Reckless' Air Strikes by Pakistan , Claims killed 8 Women And Children

The Taliban issued a fervent condemnation on Monday (Mar 18) against the air strikes conducted by Pakistan, alleging that these attacks within Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of innocent women and children. Asserting Afghanistan's unwavering stance on security, the Taliban emphasized its stance against any compromise of Afghan territory for external interests.

Describing the air strikes as a "reckless action" and a direct violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, the Taliban conveyed through its spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, that the security forces of the Taliban retaliated by targeting Pakistani troops stationed at the border.

According to the statement released by Mujahid, the Pakistani airstrikes targeted civilian residences, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives, including three women and three children. Additionally, the collapse of a house in the Khost province claimed the lives of two women.

Pakistan's government purportedly aimed these strikes at the hideouts of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). However, the specifics of these operations remained undisclosed. The Pakistani foreign office justified these actions as intelligence-based anti-terrorist operations within the border regions of Afghanistan.

Despite Pakistan's assertions, the Taliban contested that the strikes targeted individuals who were not present in Afghanistan, such as Abdullah Shah, a commander of the TTP. The Taliban spokesperson rebuked Pakistan, urging it not to attribute its internal challenges to Afghanistan.

The Taliban's statement cautioned Pakistan against the potential repercussions of its actions, emphasizing the danger of escalating tensions beyond Pakistan's control. Earlier, the Taliban had decried Pakistan's intrusion into Afghan territory, alleging bombings of civilian homes in districts such as Paktika's Burmal and Khost Sepera.

Responding to what they perceived as aggression, the Taliban's border forces reportedly engaged Pakistani military installations with heavy weaponry. The statement underscored Afghanistan's readiness to defend its territorial integrity against any aggressive incursions.

The recent spike in militant attacks in Pakistan has sparked a blame game between Islamabad and Kabul. While Pakistan attributes these attacks to militants operating from Afghan soil, Kabul refutes these claims. This escalation underscores the deep-seated tensions between the two neighboring nations, rooted in issues of sovereignty and cross-border security.