Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai slams Pakistan over deadly airstrikes in Afghanistan
Kabul, June 10
Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday strongly condemned Pakistan for violating Afghanistan's airspace and carrying out airstrikes that killed several civilians, including women and children, in the provinces of Kunar, Khost and Paktika.
He stated that Islamabad must acknowledge its hostile actions in the region and abandon its policy of " war and destruction" .
The remarks came after a Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that as many as 13 civilians, mostly children, were killed in Pakistani military airstrikes in Kunar, Khost, and Paktika.
Expressing grief and solidarity with the affected families, Karzai took to the social media platform X and posted: "Pakistan is grappling with the consequences of its ill-considered policies and hostile actions in the region, and it must realize that it will not achieve its goals by persisting with and pursuing those policies. Pakistan's best interest lies in abandoning its policy of war and destruction toward Afghanistan and instead choosing good neighborliness and civilized relations."
Meanwhile, condemning the actions by Pakistani forces, Mujahid said that the attack targeting civilian homes took place on Tuesday night, killing 11 children, one woman, and an elderly man, while 14 other women and children were injured.
The Taliban spokespersons said in a post on X: "Last night, the Pakistani military once again violated Afghanistan's airspace and bombed civilian homes in the provinces of Kunar, Khost, and Paktika." As a result of these attacks, 11 children, one woman, and one elderly man were killed, while 14 other women and children were injured. We strongly condemn this humanitarian crime and act of aggression."
This latest incident comes amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over the past few months, with repeated exchanges of fire and growing concerns over civilian casualties. The two nations have accused each other of contributing to instability, while diplomatic and local mediation efforts have remained futile to stop further escalation.
Last month, three people were killed and 14 others injured during the Pakistan army's strikes on the Dangam district in Afghanistan's Kunar province, according to the Taliban regime.
A Taliban district official said that two schools, a clinic, and two mosques were destroyed in Pakistan's attack, Afghanistan International reported. However, the officials have not revealed the exact timing of the attacks.
Taliban district governor in Dangam, Mohammad Omar Sadiq, stated that the Pakistani army has lost its ability to attack directly and has started targeting civilian facilities. He added that 80 head of cattle were killed in the strikes. The official said that 12 schools have been destroyed since the start of Pakistan's attacks on Kunar province.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Heartbreaking to read about 11 children killed. Afghanistan has suffered enough under decades of war. Pakistan must realize that its aggressive actions not only harm Afghan civilians but also damage its own credibility globally. I hope the international community pressures Islamabad to stop these violations of Afghan sovereignty.
While I condemn the loss of innocent lives, I wonder if the Taliban's presence in Kunar province is provoking Pakistan's strikes. Still, targeting civilian homes is never justifiable. Both sides need to negotiate instead of escalating this violence. The real victims are always the ordinary people caught in the crossfire.
It's alarming how these strikes destroyed schools, a clinic, and mosques. This is not just a violation of airspace but a direct attack on essential infrastructure. Pakistan should focus on stability within its own borders rather than exporting violence. Karzai's call for "good neighborliness" is exactly what the region needs.
As an Indian, this hits close to home. Pakistan's policy of using terror proxies in Afghanistan and Kashmir has backfired, and now civilians on both sides pay the price. We must support Afghan sovereignty and demand an end to these unwarranted attacks. Jai Hind! 🙏
The casualty numbers are shocking: 13 dead, mostly children. This is a humanitarian crisis. The Taliban's statement about 12 schools destroyed since the attacks began underscores the long-term damage. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan need to prioritize diplomacy before more innocent lives are lost.
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