KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – India’s Ministry of External Affairs has denounced Pakistan’s airstrike on areas in the Barmal district of eastern Paktika province, calling it an attack on civilians.
In a statement on Monday, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal said, “We unequivocally condemn any attack on innocent civilians.” He further remarked, “It is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its own internal failures.”
New Delhi also noted the Taliban’s response to the airstrikes.
According to the Taliban spokesperson, Pakistan’s military conducted the strikes on December 24, killing at least 46 people, including women and children, and injuring six others.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, however, claimed the airstrikes were intelligence-driven operations targeting members of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported receiving credible accounts that dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed in the attacks.
The strikes have further strained relations between Islamabad and the Taliban in Kabul. Tensions were already high due to ongoing border clashes and Pakistan’s accusations that the TTP operates from Afghan territory to plan and carry out attacks against Pakistan.
Islamabad blames the Taliban for sheltering TTP leaders and fighters, providing them with support to destabilize Pakistan.
The Taliban, however, have consistently denied these allegations, claiming the TTP operates from within Pakistan.
