The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday condemned Pakistan for its air strikes on Afghan civilians, which included women and children. In Pakistan's air strikes, several people were killed. The MEA slammed Pakistan for its 'old practice of blaming its neighbours for internal failures, adding, "We unequivocally condemn any attack on innocent civilians. We have also noted the response of an Afghan spokesperson in this regard".
Afghani leadership called it a 'brutal act'
In December, Pakistan carried out strikes in Afghanistan targeting what it claimed 'militant hideouts' in the country. The Afghani leadership condemned the attack, calling it a "brutal act". It added that such arbitrary actions are not a solution to any problem. According to the Afghan officials, at least 46 people, including women and children, were killed and several others injured in airstrikes by Pakistani fighter jets on parts of the Barmal district in Paktika province on Tuesday night that also damaged several homes.
"The intelligence-based operation was conducted by Pakistani security forces in the border areas of Afghanistan," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in response to a query about the Tuesday night strikes at the weekly press briefing here. She added that the operation was carried out "based on threats to the security of Pakistani citizens".
Afghanistan's retailiation
In response, Afghanistan's Defence Ministry said that its forces hit several points inside Pakistan in retaliation for deadly airstrikes.
According to a post by the Taliban Defence Ministry, the Afghani forces targeted Pakistani points that “served as centres and hideouts for malicious elements and their supporters who organised and coordinated attacks in Afghanistan. However, the ministry did not say if there were any casualties or how the strikes were carried out.
Pakistani officials have accused the Taliban of not doing enough to combat cross-border militant activity, a charge the Taliban government denies, saying it does not allow anyone to carry out attacks against any country from its soil.
(With inputs from AP)
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