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Taliban Warns Pakistan of Military Response Over 'Shameful' Airstrikes

The Taliban has condemned Pakistan for conducting airstrikes inside Afghanistan, calling it a "shameful act" and warning of a confidential military response. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claims the strikes targeted civilian areas, killing and injuring numerous non-combatants, including women and children. He firmly rejected Pakistan's accusations that Afghan soil is used by militants like the TTP to launch attacks, stating these are Pakistan's internal issues. The United Nations mission has confirmed civilian deaths and condemned the strikes, calling for an end to hostilities and adherence to international law.

Key Points: Taliban Warns Pakistan Over Airstrikes in Afghanistan

  • Taliban warns of military response
  • Pakistan accused of targeting civilians
  • UN confirms civilian casualties
  • Taliban denies harboring TTP militants
  • Strikes hit homes, school, and mosque
3 min read

'Pakistan must receive response for shameful act', warns Taliban

Taliban slams Pakistan's airstrikes as a "shameful act" targeting civilians, vows a military response and denies militant safe havens.

"Pakistan must receive a response for its shameful act. - Zabihullah Mujahid"

Kabul, Feb 26

The Taliban has slammed Pakistan for its airstrikes on Afghanistan, terming it a "shameful act" and warned of a military response to it, adding that Islamabad targeted civilians instead of militants.

In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Naturally, it would be a military response, but its details are confidential, and I cannot explain further. Pakistan must receive a response for its shameful act."

On February 22, Afghanistan's Ministry of National Defence accused the Pakistani military regime of carrying out deadly airstrikes in various residential areas of the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, resulting in the death of several civilians. Islamabad has claimed that it was targeting militant groups that were carrying out attacks in Pakistan.

Mujahid said a family of 22 people was hit in Nangarhar, with 17 killed and five injured. He said one child was injured after a school was hit and several buildings were damaged.

He said, "There were no armed individuals there. Only civilians were injured and killed, and civilian areas were targeted."

Mujahid rejected Pakistan's accusations that Afghan territory is used against neighbouring nations. "Unfortunately, whenever attacks occur inside Pakistan, they immediately attribute them to Afghanistan without evidence and accuse us. We reject this. Afghan soil is not allowed to be used against anyone," Al Arabiya English quoted him as saying.

He said Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) had no presence in Afghanistan and the group largely controls areas in Pakistan. He said, "These are Pakistan's internal problems. TTP controls large areas inside Pakistan itself. They can live there; they do not need Afghan soil. And we would not allow them to use Afghan soil in the first place."

He stated that Pakistan has not provided proof to back its claims. Mujahid accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to ISIS instead of combating them, Al Arabiya English reported.

On February 24, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that at least 13 people, including women and children, were killed in Pakistan's airstrikes on Nangarhar and Paktika.

UNAMA stated that 13 people were killed and seven others were injured in Pakistan's airstrikes in Bahsud and Khogiani districts of Nangarhar on February 21-22 from 11:15 p.m. to 1:45 a.m., Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported. A school and a mosque were hit in two attacks targeting Paktita's Barmal district, while a house was destroyed in Orgun district of Paktita.

UNAMA condemned Pakistan's airstrikes and urged all parties to immediately stop hostilities and follow international humanitarian law so that civilians are not harmed. It demanded transparent investigations and accountability and emphasised the need for protective measures for people in conflict-hit regions.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Very sad to read about the school and mosque being hit. No matter the politics, children should never be targets. Pakistan's actions are reckless, but the Taliban's record on human rights is also terrible. The UN must step in more forcefully to protect civilians.
A
Aman W
From an Indian security perspective, this internal strife between Pakistan and the Taliban is concerning. It destabilises our entire region. We have suffered enough from cross-border terrorism originating from that area. Hope our borders remain secure and our forces are alert.
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Sarah B
The Taliban spokesperson accusing Pakistan of harbouring ISIS is quite ironic. It's like a spider web of blame. The lack of proof from Pakistan is telling. Civilian deaths are always a tragedy, and transparent investigation is the least that should happen.
V
Vikram M
Pakistan created the Taliban, now they are fighting each other. Karma is a circle. But my heart goes out to the common people. A family of 22 hit? Unimaginable pain. The world community should not ignore this just because it's Afghanistan.
K
Karthik V
While the Taliban's warning is serious, one must question their capacity for a conventional military response. This seems more like political posturing. The real issue is the complete breakdown of any rule of law in the region, which is a threat to all neighbouring countries, including India.

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