India on Monday condemned Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan that killed civilians, describing it as a “blatant act of aggression” against Kabul.
New Delhi said that the Pakistani military’s bombing was an assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty, and a direct threat to regional peace and stability.
“It reflects Pakistan’s persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its futile attempt to externalise internal failures through desperate acts of violence beyond its borders,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The ministry expressed its condolences to the families of those killed, and reiterated India’s support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On Sunday night, Pakistani airstrikes killed 36 civilians and injured 163 in eastern Afghanistan, the Taliban government in Kabul said on Monday. The airstrikes hit the eastern provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar overnight.
Islamabad claimed that it had targeted militants. The strikes were in response to a militant attack on a Pakistan Rangers camp in Karachi in which three security personnel were killed, it added.
The Taliban, however, said that the strikes had killed civilians and damaged homes.
This marks the latest escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their ties have been strained since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021.
Islamabad has accused the Afghan Taliban of not acting against militant groups that allegedly operate in its territory and carry out attacks in Pakistan. The Taliban has denied the claim.
On Monday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said that it had confirmed the death of 28 civilians and 49 persons being injured. This included women and children. The toll was preliminary and may increase as hospitals continue to treat the injured, the agency said.
Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, urged restraint, accountability and called for civilian lives to be protected. Bennett said that Pakistan's security concerns must be addressed in accordance with international law.
Written by Nachiket Deuskar. Edited by Tanya Shrivastava.
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