Kabul Promises Retaliation Against Islamabad for Fatal Strikes
Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in Paktika province, coinciding with the visit of a civilian envoy from Islamabad to Kabul. Read Full Article at RT.com
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The Afghan military has promised to retaliate following deadly airstrikes that were reportedly conducted by Pakistan this week, in response to an insurgent raid on Afghan territory.
On Tuesday, an air raid in Paktika province resulted in the deaths of 46 individuals, predominantly women and children, according to the Taliban government's spokesman in Kabul. Hamdullah Fitrat informed the media that four locations in the Barmal district were struck.
Islamabad has not yet commented on these allegations. The Associated Press reported on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources within the Pakistani military, that they confirmed attacks on various hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban in a mountainous region of Paktika. Similarly, a source from Reuters indicated that the targets were associated with the Islamist militant group, which operates separately from Afghanistan’s Taliban.
According to the Afghan Defense Ministry, the victims of the airstrikes were refugees from the Waziristan area of Pakistan. The ministry referred to the strike as a “barbaric act” and “clear aggression,” asserting that Kabul “will not let this act of cowardice go unanswered.”
These airstrikes occurred shortly after Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, visited Kabul for discussions with local officials. On Wednesday, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry filed a formal protest with the Pakistani ambassador, highlighting the contrast between civilian diplomatic efforts and the alleged military actions taken by Pakistan.
Last week, local officials reported that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) killed 17 Pakistani troops in Southern Waziristan. In response, the Pakistani military announced on Wednesday that security forces had eliminated 13 insurgents in that same area.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
On Tuesday, an air raid in Paktika province resulted in the deaths of 46 individuals, predominantly women and children, according to the Taliban government's spokesman in Kabul. Hamdullah Fitrat informed the media that four locations in the Barmal district were struck.
Islamabad has not yet commented on these allegations. The Associated Press reported on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources within the Pakistani military, that they confirmed attacks on various hideouts of the Pakistani Taliban in a mountainous region of Paktika. Similarly, a source from Reuters indicated that the targets were associated with the Islamist militant group, which operates separately from Afghanistan’s Taliban.
According to the Afghan Defense Ministry, the victims of the airstrikes were refugees from the Waziristan area of Pakistan. The ministry referred to the strike as a “barbaric act” and “clear aggression,” asserting that Kabul “will not let this act of cowardice go unanswered.”
These airstrikes occurred shortly after Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, visited Kabul for discussions with local officials. On Wednesday, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry filed a formal protest with the Pakistani ambassador, highlighting the contrast between civilian diplomatic efforts and the alleged military actions taken by Pakistan.
Last week, local officials reported that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) killed 17 Pakistani troops in Southern Waziristan. In response, the Pakistani military announced on Wednesday that security forces had eliminated 13 insurgents in that same area.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
