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Afghanistan Vows 'Teeth-Breaking Response' to Pakistan's Kabul Airstrike

Afghanistan has warned of a "teeth-breaking response" to a Pakistani airstrike that hit a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, killing at least 400 people. Officials condemned the strike as a major escalation and a violation of Afghan sovereignty. Pakistan claims its operations target militant groups using Afghan soil to launch attacks into its territory. The incident marks a sharp rise in hostilities, with cross-border strikes and retaliatory operations occurring over recent weeks.

Key Points: Afghanistan Warns Pakistan After Kabul Airstrike Kills Hundreds

  • 400 killed in hospital strike
  • Afghanistan warns of major response
  • Strike called violation of sovereignty
  • Tensions escalate over militant attacks
2 min read

Afghanistan warns of 'teeth-breaking response' to Pakistan's strike in Kabul

Afghanistan promises a "teeth-breaking response" after a Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul hospital kills at least 400, marking a major border escalation.

"Such attacks cannot go unanswered. - Abdul Matin Qane"

Kabul, March 17

Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior spokesperson Abdul Matin Qane on Tuesday warned that the country will give a 'teeth-breaking response' to the airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Kabul, local media reported.

Afghan officials said that the strike targeted the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi area, killing at least 400 people and injuring 250 others. Qane said recovery efforts were being made on Tuesday as emergency teams were searching for bodies under the rubble, Afghanistan-based Ariana News reported.

Qane said Afghanistan considers Pakistan's latest strike as major escalation and warned of a response. He said, "Such attacks cannot go unanswered," reiterating that Afghan authorities consider the incident a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, Ariana News reported.

The incident marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.

Afghan authorities have condemned what they term Pakistan's military operations in Afghanistan, especially in eastern and southeastern provinces.

In recent weeks, Afghan officials have said that strikes and shelling incidents have caused casualties and damage to infrastructure. Meanwhile, Islamabad has claimed it is targeting militant groups that are using Afghan soil for launching attacks in Pakistan.

Earlier on March 14, deputy spokesman of the Afghan government Hamdullah Fitrat said that Pakistani airstrikes claimed four lives and injured 25 others in the Afghan capital Kabul early Friday.

The official said Pakistan, apart from Kabul, also conducted air raids on Kandahar, Paktika, Khost and Nangarhar provinces on Thursday night and Friday. An oil depot was targeted in Kandahar, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The current round of hostilities began when Taliban-led Afghan forces launched retaliatory operations against Pakistani military installations on February 27, following Pakistan's actions targeting militants inside Afghan territory on February 21.

Following Afghanistan's attacks, Pakistan launched 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq' (Righteous Fury) in response to what it described as "unprovoked firing" by the Afghan forces across multiple border sectors.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Very complex situation. While Pakistan claims to target militants, hitting civilian infrastructure like a hospital is a war crime. Afghanistan's warning of a 'teeth-breaking response' is worrying though. This tit-for-tat will only lead to more suffering for ordinary people on both sides. 😔
R
Rohit P
From an Indian perspective, we've seen Pakistan's cross-border tactics for decades. Their establishment has never respected the sovereignty of its neighbors. Afghanistan is right to condemn this. Hope our government offers diplomatic support to Kabul.
S
Sarah B
The numbers are staggering. 400 killed in a single strike? The article mentions this started with actions against militants, but the scale of civilian casualties reported here is horrifying. There has to be a better way than airstrikes that kill hundreds.
V
Vikram M
Operation 'Righteous Fury'? What righteousness is there in bombing a hospital? This is pure hypocrisy. The Taliban government is no saint either, but Pakistan's aggression is destabilizing the entire region. India needs to watch this border carefully.
K
Karthik V
A respectful criticism: While the Afghan spokesperson's strong language is understandable, terms like 'teeth-breaking response' sound like they're escalating rhetoric further. Both governments need to de-escalate and talk, not just threaten. Innocent Pashtuns on both sides of the Durand Line are paying the price.
M
Michael C

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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