New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) India on Sunday strongly condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, and reiterated its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a statement, said the attacks by Pakistan were “another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures”.
On Saturday night, the Pakistani military conducted airstrikes on Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, resulting in several civilian casualties.
The MEA statement statement read:
“India strongly condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, during the holy month of Ramadan.
“It is another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures.
“India reiterates its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence.”
Pakistan claimed the airstrikes had targeted hideouts of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan, describing the operation as retaliatory.
However, the Taliban has said the attacks violated Afghanistan’s national sovereignty.
Quraishi Badlon, the Taliban’s information chief in Nangarhar, said at least 17 civilians were killed in the strikes, and six bodies remain under rubble.
Taliban officials also confirmed that 18 members of a single family were killed in Behsud, with only four of 24 family members surviving the attack.
Residents said the strikes hit residential areas around midnight on Saturday, targeting parts of Behsud, Khogyani and Ghani Khil districts in Nangarhar, as well as Barmal district in Paktika.
Islamabad said the strikes were carried out in response to recent suicide and car bomb attacks on a Shi’ite mosque in Islamabad and in Bajaur and Bannu during Ramadan. Both TTP and Islamic State Khorasan claimed responsibility.
The Taliban Ministry of Defense condemned the bombing of Nangarhar and Paktika provinces by the Pakistani military, and warned of an appropriate response.
Enayatullah Khwarazmi, spokesperson for the ministry, said the strikes killed and wounded dozens of innocent women and children.
“The Defense Ministry considers safeguarding Afghanistan’s sovereignty and the safety of its people a national duty and warns of an appropriate and measured response at a suitable time,” Khwarazmi said.
