KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Pakistan’s chargé d’affaires in Kabul, Abdul Rahman Nizamani, to protest the airstrike in Paktika province that left over 50 people dead or injured.
In a statement, the ministry’s deputy spokesperson, Hafiz Zia Ahmad, said that the ministry delivered a “firm protest note” to the Pakistani diplomat, condemning the attack as a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
The Taliban official stated that while representatives of Pakistan’s civilian government were engaged in dialogue with them, the Pakistan military attempted to “undermine trust and create friction in relations between the two nations.”
“The Pakistani side has been clearly informed that protecting Afghanistan’s national sovereignty is a red line for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan [Taliban],” the statement reads. “Such actions are viewed as highly irresponsible and will inevitably bear repercussions.”
The Pakistani airstrikes, which took place in Barmal district, eastern Paktika province, on Tuesday evening, killed 46 people, including women and children, and injured six others, according to the Taliban.
Pakistani officials have yet to comment on the strikes. However, according to local sources and Pakistani military personnel who spoke with AFP on condition of anonymity, the strikes targeted the hideout of the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, in the region.
Hours after the strikes, the Taliban Ministry of Defense said the “brutal bombing” targeted civilians, mostly Wazirstani refugees in the region. The ministry condemned the attacks as “a violation of international principles and a clear act of aggression,” warning of retaliation.
“The Islamic Emirate will not let this act of cowardice go unanswered. Rather, it considers defending its territory and soil an inalienable right.” the ministry warned.
The Pakistani airstrikes occurred at a time when the country’s high-level delegation was in Kabul for talks with the Taliban authorities to “strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote peace and progress in the region.”
Pakistan has been grappling with a resurgence of militant groups like the TTP, which shares a similar ideology with the Afghan Taliban, in recent years. The militant group has intensified its attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Just days ago, TTP militants carried out a raid near Pakistan’s northwestern border with Afghanistan, killing at least 16 Pakistani security personnel and wounding eight others.
The Taliban denies the presence of TTP militants in Afghanistan. However, Pakistan’s representative to the UN told the Security Council earlier this month that the TTP, with 6,000 fighters, is the largest listed terrorist group operating in Afghanistan.
“Given its long association with al-Qaida, the TTP could emerge as al-Qaida’s arm with a regional and global terrorist agenda,” the Pakistani diplomat warned.
