On Wednesday, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry summoned Pakistan’s head of mission in Kabul to lodge a formal protest against recent airstrikes carried out by Pakistani forces in Afghanistan. These strikes, which took place late Tuesday night, targeted alleged camps of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. Pakistan’s security officials stated that fighter jets were used to target and neutralize several TTP militants.
Airstrikes and Casualties
The strikes, carried out in the Murgha and Laman areas of Bernal district, are said to have killed 46 people, including civilians and displaced Pakistanis. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that several Pakistani nationals, originally from Waziristan, were among the casualties. The Afghan Taliban confirmed the airstrikes but noted that children and civilians were among the victims.
Strained Relations Between Pakistan and Afghanistan
This incident occurred amidst renewed diplomatic engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan. On the same day as the airstrikes, a Pakistani delegation led by Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq met Afghan officials in Kabul. The talks aimed to resume bilateral dialogue after a year-long pause. However, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry condemned the airstrikes, alleging that they were a move to sabotage ongoing talks and foster distrust between the two countries.
Pakistan’s Response
In response, a senior Pakistani security official defended the airstrikes, insisting they targeted terrorist hideouts and were aimed at neutralizing TTP militants. Pakistan denied the claims made by Afghan officials regarding civilian casualties, calling them baseless. Pakistan emphasized its ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorism, particularly targeting groups operating from Afghan soil.
Renewed Diplomatic Efforts
Despite the recent tensions, both countries have expressed a desire for continued dialogue. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has emphasized that counterterrorism remains a top priority for both sides, and the hope is that diplomatic efforts will lead to a resolution of the ongoing issues.
